Dr. Mike Neal: Male Fertility Concerns for Survivors
One false assumption is that childhood cancer treatment won’t have an effect on fertility. It is important to increase awareness about the options men have prior to and post treatment. Procedures can be easy and inexpensive and can offer insurance to young men who are hoping to have a family down the road.
Straight Talk about Childhood Cancer is POGO’s 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. 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.
Presentation Description: This session presented a brief overview of options for fertility preservation in female and male survivors of childhood cancer. Mostly, the session reviewed the options for survivors who are unable to conceive post treatment. The session discussed the options for building a family using third party reproduction. The practical and legal perspectives were discussed for surrogacy, donor eggs and donor sperm
Speakers: Sara R. Cohen, LL.B. Fellow of the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys
Adjunct Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School
Karen Glass, MD, FRCS(C), FACOG Reproductive Endocrinologist, CReATe Fertility Centre
Director, Oncofertility Program
Assistant Professor, University of Toronto.
Presentation Description: Fertility concerns are not unique to cancer survivors, but survivors often have exceptional circumstances that can affect fertility options. This workshop will answer your burning questions about female fertility, including options and next steps if you’re thinking of starting a family.
Speaker: Ellen Greenblatt, MD, FRCSC Medical Director, Centre for Fertility and Reproductive Health
Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto
Presentation Description: Fertility concerns are not unique to cancer survivors, but survivors often have exceptional circumstances that can affect fertility options. This workshop will answer your burning questions about male fertility, including options and next steps if you’re thinking of starting a family.
Speaker: Michael Neal, BSc. (Hons), MSc Scientific Director
ONE Fertility, Burlington
