Mayo Clinic hosted a webinar explaining oncofertility and the preservation options available to patients whose cancer treatments may affect future childbearing.
These options are critical because certain chemotherapy and radiation treatments can cause permanent infertility. By integrating fertility care into the oncology timeline, patients can make informed decisions about their reproductive futures before starting aggressive medical interventions.
Katie Olson‑Perard, MSN, led the session to inform both patients and healthcare providers about the resources available for preserving fertility. The presentation focused on the next steps for those facing diagnoses that threaten their ability to have children.
Oncofertility care is applicable to patients across various demographics. While patients of all ages may seek these services, those up to the age of 39 [1] are specifically noted in clinical contexts regarding these preservation strategies.
The field of oncofertility has seen significant academic and professional recognition. For example, Teresa K. Woodruff was one of 14 recipients [2] of the National Medal of Science in 2025 for her contributions to the field.
Preservation methods often involve the freezing of eggs, sperm, or embryos. The webinar emphasized that these discussions should happen early in the cancer care process to ensure patients have time to undergo the necessary procedures before treatment begins. Coordination between oncologists and fertility specialists is essential to ensure that preservation efforts do not delay life-saving cancer therapy.
“Oncofertility care is applicable to patients across various demographics.”
The emphasis on oncofertility highlights a shift toward holistic cancer care, where quality of life and future family planning are treated as integral to the recovery process. By standardizing the conversation around fertility preservation, medical providers aim to reduce the long-term psychological and biological impact of cancer treatments on survivors.
