Fertility in cancer patients on new app, website

A new website and iPhone app aim to inform cancer patients and doctors about preserving fertility before treatment.

Both were created by a consortium based at Northwestern University. The idea is to let newly diagnosed patients and their physicians know about things like freezing eggs, embryos and ovarian tissue, or banking sperm.

These are among options for patients facing cancer treatments that can destroy or harm fertility.

The app and website suggest ways doctors can discuss these sensitive issues with patients.

Teresa Woodruff heads the Northwestern Oncofertility Consortium. She says deciding how to protect fertility should be part of doctors’ discussions with newly diagnosed cancer patients.

The consortium is a national group of physicians and scientists working on saving fertility in cancer patients through research and education. The website is www.savemyfertility.org.