Preserving Fertility for Cancer Patients
Each year, more than 140,000 people are diagnosed with cancer during their childbearing years. While modern medicine gives people a better chance at surviving cancer and other serious diseases more than ever before, treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can sometimes hinder reproduction.
The University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute is one of the few centers in the Tri-state area to specialize in oncofertility, which helps people with cancer and cancer survivors pursue options to preserve their fertility. Fertility preservation also benefits people with bone marrow transplant, stem cell transplant and even rheumatic diseases.
Our team is dedicated to maximizing your potential to have biological children in the future. We are sensitive to the urgency of your situation and the need to schedule you quickly. We work closely with your cancer specialists to accomplish your fertility preservation without delays.
We offer fertility preservation options for women and options for men. For years, we have successfully frozen embryos and sperm for future use, and more recently we have been able to freeze and store eggs for an unlimited time.
Our financial counselor assesses costs and helps you evaluate financial options so you can quickly proceed with fertility preservation before beginning cancer treatment. Once treatment is completed and you are ready to pursue the next step of becoming a parent, our counselor will help with those costs and options, as well.
Why Choose UC Health for Oncofertility Services?
Experienced specialists — Our physicians are fertility specialists who have extensive knowledge of the effects cancer and its treatment can have on fertility. They work closely with your surgeon, medical oncologist or radiation oncologist to understand your unique circumstances.
Personalized, comprehensive approach — Our physicians listen compassionately to your hopes and goals and create a plan with you to provide the best possible approach to preserving your fertility. When you have completed cancer treatment and are ready to have a child, they are there to guide you through the process.
Multidisciplinary team —You will have an entire team working together to make your experience with us as comfortable and easy as possible. In addition to your cancer physicians and our fertility physicians, we have nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants, embryologists (who freeze eggs and embryos), social workers and financial counselors supporting you, answering your questions and offering assistance.
Links to national resources — We are part of the Oncofertility Consortium, a nationwide program overseen by the National Institutes of Health. As one of 50 participating sites, we give you access to the latest clinical care initiatives and translational research in fertility preservation. We also work closely with the LIVESTRONG Foundation to help provide discounted medical services and donates medications for those who qualify.