Janet McLaren, MD

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Your patient just received devastating news: she has cancer. As treatment options and anxieties swirl, more and more women are now faced with another issue: how will the cancer and its treatment impact their fertility?

Although cancers generally affect older women, women of childbearing age are also impacted. In addition, increasing numbers of women are delaying reproduction and may arrive at this diagnosis thinking fertility was on their horizon. Fortunately, strategies for fertility preservation exist.

So how do you counsel such a patient? Here, Dr Janet McLaren, assistant professor in the division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, offers options for fertility preservation as well as resources for you and your patient.

Fertility Preservation Options in the Face of Cancer



Azim AA, Costantini-Ferrando M, Oktay K. 

Safety of fertility preservation by ovarian stimulation with letrozole and gonadotropins in patients with breast cancer: a prospective controlled study

American Society of Clinical Oncology Recommendations on Fertility Preservation in People Treated for Cancer

Fertility preservation and reproduction in cancer patients

,” The Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American Society for Reproductive Medicine




Fertline provides resources for clinicians and patients and is a good one-stop source to have questions answered.




Fertility Hope’s website has a risk calculator as well as fertility resource guide.



American Cancer Society: Information on Preserving Fertility


ACS’s website provides support, information, and answers to frequently asked questions.



The Oncofertility Consortium at Northwestern University


The Consortium has professional resources, news, and information as well as patient support and information.
 

Articles

Your patient just received devastating news: she has cancer. As treatment options and anxieties swirl, more and more women are now faced with another issue: how will the cancer and its treatment impact their fertility?

Chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease, negatively affect patients’ physical and psychological health. In fact, these diseases have been associated with gynecological complications, including menstrual and pelvic abnormalities, which can further negatively impact quality of life. Now, there are new concerns that these diseases may lead to premature ovarian failure and early menopause.

We invited lead researcher Dr Janet McLaren to discuss the results of this new study, which was presented at the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Dr McLaren is an assistant professor in the division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 

Are Patients With Chronic Inflammatory Disease at Risk for Early Menopause?


McLaren JF, Haynes K, Barnhart KT, et al. 

Early menopause in women with chronic inflammatory disease: a population-based cohort study

. Presented at the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Oct. 17, 2011; Orlando.

Lead researcher Dr Janet McLaren discusses the results of a new study exploring new concerns that rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease may lead to premature ovarian failure and early menopause.

Author | Janet McLaren, MD

Articles

Fertility Preservation Options in the Face of Cancer

Are Patients With Chronic Inflammatory Disease at Risk for Early Menopause?