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Dr. Ellen Greenblatt: Female Fertility Concerns for Survivors

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Kelly Zorzi

Dr. Ellen Greenblatt: Female Fertility Concerns for Survivors

It is crucial for childhood cancer patients to remember that life does go on after cancer. Understandably, fertility is an important aspect of that. Cancer treatments, however, can jeopardize reproductive health, most notably due to certain chemotherapy agents, particularly the class called alkylating agents that can kill off eggs in women and sperm in men. Radiation treatment to the pelvis can also affect ovarian function or the ability for the uterus to carry a pregnancy.

Despite such concerns, Dr. Greenblatt assures young survivors that there are many therapies that are less toxic and that pregnancy after cancer is not associated with a higher risk of abnormalities in children. She recommends visiting a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility centre if you have undergone treatment yourself. While such measures are recommended, Dr. Greenblatt provides a healthy reminder: all women, not only survivors, must think of family planning as planning their family rather than leaving it up to chance.

Ellen Greenblatt, MD, FRCSC is the Medical Director for the Centre for Fertility and Reproductive Health at the Mount Sinai Hospital and Associate Professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. She spoke at POGO’s 2013 Survivor Conference: Life after Childhood Cancer.

Straight Talk about Childhood Cancer is POGO’s new series of video shorts featuring the insights of experts whose leading-edge work impacts the care, treatment and quality of life of childhood cancer patients, survivors and their families.

Dr. Jim Drake: The Role of Medical Robotics in Pediatric Surgery

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Kelly Zorzi

Currently, medical robotics plays a significant role in the surgical treatment of certain diseases such as prostate and abdominal cancers. Over the next ten years, robotics will play an increasing role in every aspect of surgery, significantly impacting the field of pediatric oncology.

Dr. James Drake explains that, in certain instances, using robotics produces better results that are often faster and safer than traditional surgical procedures. He envisions that in the next ten years we will see semi-autonomous robots assisting with complicated surgeries, accessing areas that surgeons have difficulty reaching. With a vast pool of talent and expertise, Canada is poised to lead the way, but the field of medical robotics needs everyone’s advocacy and support to achieve its exciting and ambitious goals.

James Drake is the Head of Neurosurgery at the Hospital for Sick Children and Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto. He spoke at the 2013 POGO Multi-Disciplinary Symposium on Childhood Cancer.

Dr. Anne Katz: Navigating Relationships after Childhood Cancer

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Kelly Zorzi

Childhood cancer treatment can have a variety of side effects for patients, including sexual dysfunction, reproductive issues and sexual problems that may last for only a few months or persist for years. It can become even more difficult for the survivor when these problems begin to involve others and they need to communicate these side effects to their partners. People respond very differently and often unexpectedly when they learn someone they care about once had cancer. How much do you share, and when should you begin speaking about the experience?

Dr. Katz explains that when looking for support or advice, it might seem easy to turn to the internet but due to the complicated and often individual nature of the issues, it requires a discerning mind to sift through and find relevant information. What she recommends as helpful, is a conversation with a nurse, social worker or a counsellor who is more familiar with individual patients and has experience dealing with concerns like these.

Anne Katz, PhD, RN is a Clinical Nurse Specialist & AASECT Certified Sexuality Counsellor with Cancer Care Manitoba. She spoke at POGO’s 2013 Survivor Conference: Life after Childhood Cancer where she presented these and other ideas.

Dr. Paul Rogers: The Role of Nutrition in Childhood Cancer

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Kelly Zorzi

Dr. Paul Rogers explains that malnourishment can in fact result from receiving very high dose chemotherapy, and, as a consequence, medical teams need to be more proactive in supporting children’s dietary needs. He suggests that weight, though it’s the most common measure, isn’t a sufficient indicator on its own. Dr. Rogers points out that while nutritional supports can diminish the effects of chemotherapy and help a child maintain their health while in treatment, he is clear that research is still needed to determine the overall impact on disease.

Dr. Paul Rogers is a pediatric oncologist at BC Children’s Hospital and Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia. He presented “The Role of Nutrition in Pediatric Oncology” at the 2013 POGO Symposium on Childhood Cancer, an annual education event to help health care professionals remain up-to-date in the rapidly advancing field of pediatric oncology.

Straight Talk about Childhood Cancer is POGO’s new series of video shorts featuring the insights of experts whose leading-edge work impacts the care, treatment and quality of life of childhood cancer patients, survivors and their families.

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Dr. Ellen Greenblatt: Female Fertility Concerns for Survivors