Preserving Fertility in Cancer Patients

1. Desireé Arredondo Preserving Fertility in Cancer Patients

2. What is Cancer? • Cancer, or malignancy, is the uncontrollable growth and multiplication of abnormal cells in the body. • This non-contagious disease occurs when mutated cells do not die when they should, leaving new cells to form when the body does not need them. http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTa4bT2Hq_1SxmfCV57RuMr5DAnvOcC6tohu_QuCi21Er5Jis1Iw

3. How is Cancer Harmful? • The extra cells can form masses of tissue, called tumors, which can be benign, meaning they are virtually harmless, or malignant, meaning they invade and destroy other vital parts of the body. https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRbegVMOzp9yAFdBhs_GOR1DsU8k5nNwpDLi1b5FBGuxTPp7__NEw https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSz6Oh-3TQKattK1NTh13z-wdsvWk3qPQzvfkp3ZtKATXBI6FMK

4. Nobody is “Immune” • It can occur in nearly every age group and race, as well as develop either from hereditary genes passed through the family, or unexpectedly without known cause. http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQQR4_MyOxk4PE765FA8qWAUrTd8p5megAzu42jLzarnIe_rVXZ

5. Health Costs of Cancer • Being diagnosed could prove to be one of the single most devastating life events any person could face. • While recent advances in cancer therapies have given many patients newly found hope with record high survival rates, the main treatments administered may still have life-altering implications. http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSMBqv-w_sB7dROrcZYR4Sglvezn7jYYWQWJR3stLo0rkq8h6qr

6. Cancer and Fertility • Infertility results in both women and men from cancer therapy because the treatment they receive usually leads to severe damage of their reproductive system. http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQfqcHocc4HXXr2CY5tCzwtpgMI9MShEXiEOggd1Zi_m8EP7WGa

7. Statistics • In 2005 surveys of cancer patients, 30-40% of patients reported that “Oncologists do not raise the issue of fertility or sperm and ovarian preservation at all”. • They also revealed a very strong desire to be informed of available options for future reproduction.

8. Malpractice? • It is considered malpractice for medical professionals to not completely inform their patients of the important details surrounding their procedure. • The rising issue of reproductive sterility and infertility in cancer patients could be significantly reduced if oncologists took greater responsibility in keeping themselves up to date with emerging technologies and describing all aspects the disease from diagnosis to prognosis.

9. Other Reasons • The initial reaction upon diagnosis is generally that of fear, confusion, and anxiety. For some, depression and feelings of despair or rejection from society are unavoidable. • People do not often take time to consider that this disease could impact their ability to bear children, since their minds are already preoccupied with more prominent questions and other concerns. http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQWRF_W7Ugp6hwi3ac7lMuPESQSRYK139B6ktkewbLb0E3paUYq_Q

10. Treatments • Could be before, during, or after, depending on the patients unique situation. • Sperm Banking • Testicular Sperm Extraction • Invitro Fertilization • Embryo Freezing • Gonadotropin Agonist Therapy • Wellness Treatments https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSPkhQpU6sEbAlXKw1Y3C3lsfaLICglKddDfV5QsQ6RFAr2jGUO-g

11. Problems with Receiving Treatment • Virtually everything is very expensive. • You have to fit the requirements. • There are mental and physical complications. http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSjha5_5-5mdUEedkyVNVi_FVHNWA0IpQtDcbkIggiJExPiDWWg

12. Support: “2012 is the Year for Cancer!” • There are many established and growing support groups online, through telephone, or even face to face. • Fertile Hope • Cancer Support Community • Susan G. Komen for the Cure • American Cancer Society https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQ97pSzH4HatzB8uuKs98eQnlyTeTG6tq9Hyd0t98I39tv2jBF

13. Pamphlet • Ideas and rough drafts. • Edit and finalize. • Translate in Spanish. • Print out several dozen copies. • Place them in cancer clinics, such as MD Anderson. • Check back 2 months later to see effectiveness.

14. Works Cited • “About Cancer.” Cancer support community. N.p., 2011. Web. 6 Mar 2012. <http://cancersupportcommunity.org/MainMenu/About-Cancer>. • "Cancer & Fertility Information." Fertile Hope:. Lance Armstrong Foundation. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. <http://www.fertilehope.org/learn-more/cancer-and-fertility-info/index.cfm>. • DePinho, Ronald. Personal Interview. 10 Feb. 2012. • "Patient's Fact Sheet: Cancer and Fertility Preservation." American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Jan. 2004. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. <http://www.asrm.org/>.

15. Works Cited Continued • Pavinato, Vanessa. "Study Finds Fertility Concerns Of Cancer Survivors Inadequately Addressed." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 13 Oct. 2010. Web.2 Mar. 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/204323.php>. • Stanislaw, Burzynski. "Burzynski- Cancer is a Serious Business." The Burzynski Clinic. N.p., 2011. Web. 6 Mar 2012. <http://www.burzynskiclinic.com/>.

16. Thank You! Any Questions?