Oncofertility Consortium Goals
Specialists from Penn Fertility Care and Penn researchers have teamed up with Northwestern University and three other centers as a part of the Roadmap Interdisciplinary Oncofertility Consortium which brings together professionals in reproductive medicine, oncology, reproductive health research, biomechanics, materials science, mathematics, social science bioethics, religion, policy research, and educational sciences to explore the reproductive future of patients facing life-preserving but fertility-threatening cancer treatments.
The Consortium aims to develop into a respected voice for research, clinical practice and training in oncofertility by addressing the following:
- What is the specific fertility threat of the life-preserving cancer drugs?
- Can we predict how new cancer drugs will affect fertility?
- Can we cryopreserve (freeze) and grow human ovarian follicles?
- How do we optimally store and recover gonadal tissue?
- Can we promote primate-derived immature follicle growth and oocyte maturation in a three-dimensional environment?
- What role do healthcare practitioners and religious counsel play in the decision?
- How do women with cancer share their concerns regarding infertility with their physician and how does their decision impact their lives after cancer?
- What are the key concerns and treatment decisions that are made at diagnosis and how does gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic and family status factor into the equation?
- What are the ethical and legal concerns regarding the use of advanced reproductive technologies in cancer patients?
- How do families facing a child's cancer diagnosis decide whether or not to participate in the ovarian cryopreservation work?
- What is the cost/benefit analysis of fertility preservation?
Collectively, this Consortium serves as a framework in which this exciting, challenging and multifaceted new discipline of oncofertility can be fostered. For more information call 800-789-PENN(7366).
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