Future Fertility

Future Fertility

Improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer has led to significant improvements in survival rates. The loss of reproductive or sexual function following diagnosis of cancer or a serious but non-malignant disease, or its treatment, is a significant survivorship consideration for many patients. The use of treatments that can affect the future fertility of men, women, and children and the late effect consequences of infertility and sexual dysfunction can have a lasting impact on a patient’s physical and psychological well- being.

The term ‘oncofertility’ describes a subspecialty of medicine that focuses on the reproductive concerns of cancer patients, who may face infertility as a result of their treatment. As survival rates improve, there is an expectation by patients and health care professionals that efforts be made to preserve the reproductive health potential of patients who receive gonadotoxic treatment whenever possible.

We have established an oncofertility service which includes access to the ‘Fertility & Research Centre’ led by Prof William Ledger. This clinic is based at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney and is open from Monday to Saturday. This is the first dedicated oncofertility centre in Australia and is the only fertility centre to combine basic and clinical research with comprehensive fertility preservation, assisted reproduction treatment and psychosocial support in the public hospital setting.

The Fertility & Research Centre provides rapid access to oncofertility consultations and fertility preservation options for paediatric, adolescent and adult cancer patients. This multidisciplinary service provides a centre of clinical and research excellence which ensures that cancer patients in NSW benefit from oncofertility care, care coordination and practical and psychosocial oncofertility support at diagnosis and through treatment into survivorship.

Cancer can affect fertility – but a lot of young Australians aren’t being told One in 10 cancer survivors will experience infertility, but discussions about fertility preservation are not a standard part of care in Australia. Here, a cancer survivor and adolescent oncologist explain why they’re pushing for change.