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Motherhood has long been viewed as a valued role for women, regardless of whether or not every woman is a mother or plans on being one. In all fairness, it is a defining role for many women and something that gives their lives added meaning. I can certainly understand how this could be a principle...
We hope that all patients of reproductive age who are diagnosed with cancer have the opportunity to discuss oncofertility with their provider shortly after diagnosis. This conversation should include the options, risks, benefits and various outcomes of available fertility preservation techniques....
Religion and oncofertility strive to maintain an open and mutually beneficial dialogue in order to meet somewhere in the middle. Oddly enough, science and theology often overlap, albeit outside of the lab, so it’s important to bridge any gaps that may exist in the current debate surrounding...
The goal of oncofertility is to preserve the future fertility of cancer patients and ensure they have reproductive choice after they’ve finished treatment. Not all methods of fertility preservation are considered “established” techniques meaning they are viewed as experimental and must be offered...
Here at the Oncofertility Consortium Blog, it’s important to us that our readers who may be diagnosed with cancer or know someone that is, have a wealth of resources to tap into for support. A cancer diagnosis often leads to questions and concerns throughout the trajectory of the disease. Having...
It’s not uncommon for people to gift others with money on a birthday, or a graduation, at a wedding, etc.., but what about when people really need it? What about when people are in times of personal crisis? Statistics show that 60% of all bankruptcies are a result of medical costs with most people...
Fertility concerns rank high among newly diagnosed cancer patients of reproductive age. There are several options available to patients interested in preserving their fertility before treatment begins. An often selected choice among patients with a spouse or a committed partner is embryo banking.
As a result of earlier detection and improved treatments, cancer survival statistics have dramatically increased. Some survivors may live with cancer as a chronic disease requiring periodic treatments, while others may go into long-term remission. As many survivors have learned, recovery is often...
Summer Teacher Fellowship Team (L-R): Mark Prosise (Curriculum Developer), Amy Elliott, Kari Bodine, Miranda Bernhardt (Lab Coordinator), Sowmya Anjur, Kristen Perkins (Curriculum Coordinator), Nadia Reynolds (Fellowship Coordinator); not pictured: Qurrat Waheed. Photo by Eugene Galdones.
Planning a family post-cancer can be a complicated process if a patient’s fertility was compromised during their cancer treatment. Depending on a cancer survivor’s prior treatment regime and subsequent fertility options, a number of family planning options may be available to them. I spoke with ...
This year at American Society of Clinical Oncology Conference we met so many great advocacy groups who are invested in the cancer community whether through programming, research, outreach or education. Often we look to specific groups who specialize in a particular area of cancer care to provide us...
In today’s world, more and more professionals are relying on smartphone technology as part of their daily lives. Healthcare providers are no exception, with apps being designed in lieu of cumbersome pocket-guides to meet their diagnostic and medical information needs. In oncology, access to the...
Across the United States this weekend, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) communities are celebrating the impact that LGBT people have on the world. Parades and other events from New York to Chicago to San Francisco commemorate the gay pride movement. The Oncofertility Consortium...
A few weeks ago, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference, I walked over to the Bright Pink organization’s booth to introduce myself. In doing so, I met a young woman manning the station as a volunteer for the organization and we hit it off immediately, sharing stories about...
The Oncofertility Consortium often uses technical terms when discussing cancer and fertility preservation. In an effort to remove the jargon from reproductive science, Cathryn Smeyers, Program Manager of the Center for Reproductive Research, created Repropedia, which is what we link to on our blog...
A cancer diagnosis often carries a number of legal issues, including insurance coverage, employment and taking time off work, access to health care and government benefits, etc… These legal issues can have a serious affect on an individual’s already compromised health causing stress and confusion,...
The contents of the Oncofertility Consortium Blog are for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.