How are other fields and research initiatives becoming involved in Oncofertility?

The Oncofertility Consortium is really very broad. We have brought in groups that work in biomaterials—that allows us to develop new basic science options for fertility preservation for men and women. We’ve brought in folks in religious studies, in bioethics, in bio health law. We have aspects of economics, so for a young person with a cancer diagnosis who has not reached the apex of their economic potential, the concerns of paying for these options really becomes one that we’re trying to work on, and we have people working in communication studies—how do patients and physicians interact and talk about fertility options in a time of great stress? We’ve really tried to involve all aspects of the academy of Northwestern to focus on the needs, the total needs, of a patient and their family who are facing an imminent crisis associated with a cancer diagnosis, but need to walk through a series of decisions that are associated with the treatment of the cancer, and the sequelae associated with fertility.