In this empowering episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks to a panel of onco-fertility experts about preserving fertility during cancer treatment. MSK oncologists Dr. Julia Brockway-Marchello and Dr. José Flores discuss the timing and options for patients who want to have biological children without delaying life-saving cancer treatments, like radiation and chemotherapy. Dr. Lucky Sekhon, reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist at RMA of New York, explains the safety, success rates, and evolving technologies used to freeze eggs and bank sperm. A nurse from MSK's fertility preservation program, Lauren Martino, explains what patients should know about the cost and the importance of early referrals. Emotional stories from cancer survivors, new parents, and patient advocates offer hope to anyone, man or woman, who faces cancer and wants to have a baby someday.
Episode Chapters:
2:26 - Timeline from diagnosis to preservation
3:17 - Why fertility preservation is recommended
4:27 - Preservation options for women
5:58 - Egg retrieval success rates
7:31 - Testing embryos for cancer-causing genes
9:12 - Breast cancer patient testimonial
10:23 - Embryos or eggs: Which is better to freeze?
12:39 - Testicular cancer patient testimonial
13:26 - Preservation options and timeline for men
14:43 - Will the preservation process delay my treatment?
16:14 - Will the preservation process worsen my cancer?
17:25 - Preservation options during/after treatment
19:25 - Pregnancy success rates for various methods
22:40 - Cost of sperm banking
23:16 - Cost of egg and embryo freezing
24:41 - Insurance and financial grants
28:23 - It takes a village
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