By: Lauren Ataman-Millhouse -
Dr. Antoinette Anazodo, Director of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer at the Kids Cancer Centre at the Sydney Children's Hospital, and member of the Oncofertility Global Partners Network, is asking for support for Oncofertility Federal government changes in Australia. Below is a message from Dr. Anazodo regarding this important call to action. Please consider submitting a comment in support of these initiatives. It is important for members of the OC to support such initiatives not only to strengthen our network, but also to improve patient care all over the world. For any further questions, feel free to contact Antoinette Anazodo <Antoinette.Anazodo@health.nsw.gov.au> directly. Note these comments are due July 15, 2016.
In Australia, we submitted four Medicare Applications to the Department of Health in support of 7 new Oncofertility Medicare item numbers in order to provide patients receiving gonadotoxic treatment with the opportunity to access fertility preservation tests, options and strategies prior to starting their cancer treatment.
We have been advised that the evidence behind our first three Medicare applications have been approved for the general public to provide comments.
The applications include:
1434: Pathology: Anti-Müllerian monitoring
1435: Processing of gonadal tissue and gametes
1436 – Ovarian Repositioning – this item number is not for comment but for review as it will be automatically included on the MBS
It is really important that we have as many comments as possible for the application to be successful and international colleagues supporting this application would be very helpful. You can make a comment by completing the applications via the link below, listed under their respective application numbers (1434 & 1435).
http://www.msac.gov.au/internet/msac/publishing.nsf/Content/surveys-lp
The applications are available for public comment until midnight Friday 15 July 2016.
Your support for these applications are invaluable in provision of equitable cost effective testing and fertility preservation treatment for patients prior to and following treatment with gonadotoxic therapy. We only have one chance for this application to be successful and you would appreciate how important a change in policy is for cancer patients.