Life-saving cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation can destroy the reproductive potential of both men and women; an added struggle for the 130,000 people in the US diagnosed with cancer each year. The good news is that advances in fertility technologies now give patients the ability to preserve their fertility prior to treatment, an option many oncologists fail to inform their patients.
Despite efforts by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to develop fertility preservation guidelines for oncologists, only 60% were aware of the guidelines while less than 25% said they followed them regularly, distributed educational materials or referred patients for fertility preservation discussions.
With the month of October dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness - the leading cause of cancer among American women – Fertility Centers of Illinois (FCI) is committed to educating women about fertility preservation options now available. The new Fast-track Fertility Preservation Program at FCI enables women to fast freeze their eggs or embryos prior to cancer treatment, to be fertilized or used at a later date, and allowing them the possibility of having genetic children in the future. Patients in this program will be offered a discounted rate for treatment and medications.
Dr. Angeline Beltsos, medical director and reproductive endocrinologist with Fertility Centers of Illinois, explains that it is crucial for women be made aware of these options immediately, to allow enough time to pursue the treatment. “With any diagnosis, patients must be presented all of the information, which in this case, includes the important option of being able to have biological children in the future.” she adds.