Improving Access for Patients Undergoing Gonadotoxic Therapy: Creation of a Formal Fertility Preservation Program [25A]

INTRODUCTION: Prior to 2016, patients undergoing gonadotoxic therapies were not routinely directed towards educational resources regarding fertility preservation options. In 2016, a formalized fertility preservation program was initiated to increase education, referrals, and provide treatment options to this uniquely vulnerable patient population. METHODS: A database was created following initiation of the fertility preservation program (FPP) to track patient demographics such as diagnosis, treatment plan, referring department, consultation turn-around time, uptake of fertility preservation services, and outcomes (post treatment and post fertility preservation, if applicable). For patients undergoing sperm/oocyte/embryo cryopreservation for fertility preservation needs prior to program initiation (2006–2015), a chart review was performed to obtain the same data. We assessed the overall impact of implementation of FPP as compared to other published data from institutions providing formal fertility preservation services. RESULTS: Each year following implementation of FPP, noted statistically significant increase in referrals, consultations, and uptake of fertility preservation services. Similarly, the referring departments and diagnoses on referral expanded beyond oncologic providers and oncologic diagnoses, respectively. We also noted a trend of increased uptake for female patients for fertility preservation as compared to male patients, which is dissimilar from previously published data. CONCLUSION: A formalized program for fertility preservation improves access and uptake of services for patients undergoing gonadotoxic therapies. Our program demonstrated significant beneficial impact on multiple parameters of interest, even within the first two years following implementation. Subsequently, fertility preservation for oncology patients is now considered a covered benefit within this health maintenance organization.