The National Physicians Cooperative: Transforming Fertility Management in the Cancer Setting and Beyond

Abstract

Once unimaginable, fertility management is now a nationally established part of cancer care in institutions, from academic centers to community hospitals to private practices. Over the last two decades, advances in medicine and reproductive science have made it possible for men, women and children to be connected with an oncofertility specialist or offered fertility preservation soon after a cancer diagnosis. The Oncofertility Consortium's National Physicians Cooperative is a large-scale effort to engage physicians across disciplines – oncology, urology, obstetrics and gynecology, reproductive endocrinology, and behavioral health – in clinical and research activities to enable significant progress in providing fertility preservation options to children and adults. Here, we review the structure and function of the National Physicians Cooperative and identify next steps.

2019 Pediatric Initiative Network: Progress, Proceedings, and Plans

“…The Pediatric Initiative Network (PIN) is an international group of providers within the Oncofertility Consortium dedicated to preserving and protecting the fertility of children and adolescents at risk for infertility due to medical conditions or treatments. [10][11][12] In a span of 6 years, the PIN has established itself as an integral and necessary component of the Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network (OPEN) of the Oncofertility Consortium and a strengthening voice within the field. 13 The group has grown rapidly, with 102 active members from 62 institutions, including physicians, researchers, advanced practitioners, nurses, psychologists, social workers, patient navigators, and trainees from each of these groups.…”

A View from the past into our collective future: the oncofertility consortium vision statement

“…OPEN consists of individuals or groups from 45 countries and is linked by basic and clinical research a high-level of shared protocols and experiences. Member leverage work done in affiliated centers to accelerate their formation and services offered [ 1 – 7 ] …”

“…Disciplines represented included oncology, urology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, psychology, and specialists in pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations. Many of the participants serve as chairs of their respective Oncofertility Professional Education Network (OPEN) subcommittees [ 1 ] and have exhibited exemplary leadership and engagement in the field. Together this group discussed the current state of the field, the priorities for the next 10 years, and the strategies to be used to ensure that the field is moving forward in a productive and collaborative manner.…”

Fertility preservation in women affected by gynaecological cancer: the importance of an integrated gynaecological and psychological approach

“…Surgical therapy is demolitive for the reproductive organs in the majority of cases, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy affect the function of the uterus and ovaries if preserved. For these reasons, recent guidelines recommend that although the initial focus is on the cancer diagnosis, healthcare providers should discuss with their patients the impact of cancer treatments on fertility from the earliest stages of therapy, in order to guide women in choosing between different fertility preservation options [21][22][23].…”