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Tulsa Hospital Offers Fertility Options to Cancer Patients
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ancer does not ask to interrupt a person’s life; it invades without permission, causing their priorities to suddenly change. For many young adults whose worlds are turned upside down by a cancer diagnosis, they may be focused on fighting their disease and not realize how their future can be affected. Many cancer treatments – such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery – can interfere with a patient’s ability to have children later in life. This can occur with any type of cancer, not just cancers affecting reproductive organs. That’s why Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Tulsa launched the Oncofertility Preservation Program. This program is designed to identify and preserve fertility as early in the treatment process as possible. Dr. Laurence Altshuler, internist and director of oncology intake services, leads the oncofertility program in Tulsa. “We have recently seen a trend of younger patients, both male and female, who are being diagnosed with a variety of cancers,” says Dr. Altshuler. “Often, they are not considering whether or not they can successfully have children later in life after treatment; instead, they are concentrating on fighting their cancer. For patients who still want to have children, it is important that we explain potential oncofertility options to them before they begin treatment.”
For example, an individual may choose to freeze their egg or sperm, or a couple may want to freeze their embryo. Freezing is completed through a process called “vitrification,” which is the most advanced technology to date, improving cell survival. CTCA partners with a local, certified fertility center to provide multiple Dr. Laurence Altshuler, MD options including egg retrieval and sperm collection; on-site storage of egg, sperm and embryos; as well as in-vitro fertilization. “Our focus is on the patient,” says Dr. Altshuler. “It’s our job to help inform our patients so they can make the best decisions for themselves, both now and in the future.”
Cancer Treatment Centers of America To learn more about Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa, visit cancercenter.com or call 888-568-1571.