Abstract
Fertility preservation (FP) was developed with the explicit purpose of helping young women and men overcome complications of infertility associated with cancer-related treatments. Currently, no databases in the USA follow cancer or noncancer patients who undergo FP. Hence, the number and demographics of women and men who seek these services, as well as the efficacy, benefits, risks, success rates and quality of care of FP are unknown. Two feasibility studies on young women seeking FP in southern California are discussed. In addition, barriers, funding, a needs assessment, and approaches to establishing and evaluating a database are presented. A FP database would provide oncologists, reproductive endocrinologists and other medical specialists with an invaluable resource for evidence-based decisions; a foundation of knowledge that could alleviate patients’ fears so that they can make informed decisions; public health surveillance; and research opportunities.
Disclaimer
Portions of this manuscript were presented at the International Society for Fertility Preservation 2nd World Congress on Fertility Preservation in Miami, Florida, on 9 December 2011.
Acknowledgements
H Klonoff-Cohen would like to particularly thank Jennifer Le for her expertise in editing and technical assistance on this manuscript.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
This research was partially supported by the SDSU/UCSD Cancer Center Comprehensive Partnership Grants #U54CA132384 and #U54 CA132379. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.