Program Overview

Introduction to the Oncofertility Program

The MD Anderson Oncofertility Program provides comprehensive fertility services to reproductive age men and women whose fertility may be affected by cancer and its treatment. The program works closely with the MD Anderson Department of Pediatrics and the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program to provide counseling to younger patients who are at risk of cancer-related infertility.

Information for Patients

Patients, prospective patients, caregivers, and family members can learn how cancer can impact fertility during and after treatment. The program offers streamlined access to fertility preservation methods, including egg and embryo freezing, sperm banking, and ovarian tissue freezing, through its partnership with Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Children's Hospital Family Fertility Center.

Clinical Care

The program provides clinical care services, including fertility preservation methods, to patients at risk of cancer-related infertility.

Research

The program conducts research in the area of oncofertility, including the development of a patient decision aid website, called Pathways, to help women make decisions about fertility preservation. The program also established a database to collect information about the fertility status of reproductive-aged individuals who have a history of cancer or are considered at high risk of developing cancer.

Education

The program provides professional education and training to current and future clinicians, including didactic sessions and clinical shadowing experiences. The program also partners with Patient Education and the MD Anderson Learning Center to offer fertility preservation resources to patients.

Public Policy

The program serves as a resource for policymakers on the topic of fertility preservation for cancer patients. The program works with stakeholders to educate them on the benefits of robust coverage for cancer patients and has contributed to the passage of legislation, such as Texas House Bill 1649, which requires some insurers to pay for fertility preservation for cancer patients.

Resources

The program has established partnerships with professional societies and consortiums, including the Alliance for Fertility Preservation and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. The program also collaborates with related departments and centers, such as the Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine Department and the Gynecologic Oncology Center.

Professional Societies and Consortiums

• Alliance for Fertility Preservation
• American Society of Reproductive Medicine

Related Departments and Centers

• Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine Department
• Gynecologic Oncology Center

Selected Publications

• Oncofertility and the Rights to Future Fertility
• Practices and Attitudes Regarding Women Undergoing Fertility Preservation: A Survey of the National Physicians Cooperative
• Oncologists' Role in Patient Fertility Care: A Call to Action

Statistics

• 70,000 adolescents and young adults (aged 15 to 39) are diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S.
• 1 out of 47 women will be diagnosed with some type of invasive cancer by the age of 40
• 70% overall five-year survival rate after a cancer diagnosis