Springer Oncofertility: Ethical, Legal, Social, and Medical Perspectives: 156 (Cancer Treatment and Research, 156)

Oncofertility has emerged as a way to address potential lost or impaired fertility in cancer patients and survivors, with active biomedical research that is developing new ways to help these individuals preserve their ability to have biological children. In order to move beyond oncofertility as a science and medical technology and begin to address the ethical, legal, and social ramifications of this emerging field, we must give voice to scholars from the humanities and social sciences to engage in a multidisciplinary discussion. This book brings together a pool of experts from a variety of fields, including communication, economics, ethics, history, law, religion, and sociology, to examine the complex issues raised by recent developments in oncofertility and to offer advice from national and international perspectives as we create new technology. Given the inherent interdisciplinary nature of oncofertility, this book is not only valuable, but also necessary to cultivate a deep understanding of new issues with the eventual aim of offering proposals for addressing them. Indeed, this book will be useful for people not only within the humanities and social sciences disciplines but also for those who are confronted with cancer and the possibility of impaired fertility and the medical practitioners within oncology and reproductive medicine who are at the front lines of this emerging field. Review From the reviews:“This is a much -needed book on the multidisciplinary and multifaceted world of oncofertility. … book is appropriate for a wide-ranging audience, from patients to practitioners, researchers to clinicians, students to teachers, in all the fields related to oncofertility. … This book is useful for all who work in any aspect of cancer, infertility, research in these areas, or any area related to fertility preservation.” (Amber R. Cooper, Doody’s Review Service, November, 2010) From the Back Cover Oncofertility has emerged as a way to address potential lost or impaired fertility in those with a history of cancer. Active biomedical research is developing new ways to help those afflicted with cancer to preserve their ability to have biological children. Oncofertility: Ethical, Legal, Social, and Medical Perspectives moves beyond oncofertility as a science and medical technology and begins to address the social, legal, and ethical ramifications of this emerging field. Dr. Teresa K. Woodruff establishes a team of oncologists, fertility specialists, social scientists, and education and policy makers to engage in an interdisciplinary discussion on the clinical care of women who will lose their fertility due to cancer treatment. "Cancer and its treatment will often compromise fertility. Concerns relevant to reproduction remains one of the most important issues for patients. In this text renown experts discuss the spectrum of critical issues embraced by Oncofertility." - Steven T. Rosen, M.D. Series Editor About the Author Teresa Woodruff, Ph.D. – Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D. is a Thomas J. Watkins Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. She is the Chief of a newly created Division of Fertility Preservation and the Founder and Director of the Institute for Women’s Health Research. She is the immediate past Director of the Basic Science Programs for the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center (2000-2007). She is the basic science Associate Editor for Fertility and Sterility (2008-present) and member of several editorial boards including Molecular Cellular Endocrinology, Journal of Molecular Endocrinology and Endocrine Reviews. She serves on the Endocrine Society council (2008-present) and the Society for the Study of Reproduction Board of Directors (2008-present). Her awards include the Distinguished Teaching