Building Oncofertility Core Competency in Developing Countries: Experience From Egypt, Tunisia, Brazil, Peru, and
Mahmoud Salama1, Lauren Ataman2, Tamer Taha1
1National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.
JCO Global Oncology
|March 11, 2022
Summary
Oncofertility practice in developing nations faces financial, awareness, and cultural barriers. Despite challenges, opportunities exist to expand fertility preservation services for cancer patients globally.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Global Health
Background:
- Oncofertility practice is under-researched in developing countries, which often have limited cancer care resources.
- Fertility preservation is crucial for young cancer patients, yet access varies significantly worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the barriers and opportunities for oncofertility practice in five developing countries in Africa and Latin America.
- To understand the current landscape of fertility preservation services within these regions.
Main Methods:
- A survey was developed and administered to explore oncofertility practice.
- Responses were collected from healthcare professionals and stakeholders in Egypt, Tunisia, Brazil, Peru, and Panama.
- Data were reviewed and discussed to identify common themes and challenges.
Main Results:
- Key barriers identified include financial constraints (lack of insurance, high patient costs), limited provider and patient awareness, cultural and religious factors, and insufficient program funding.
- These challenges significantly impede the implementation and accessibility of oncofertility services.
Conclusions:
- Despite identified barriers, significant opportunities exist to advance oncofertility in these developing nations.
- Continued stakeholder engagement and leveraging international networks are vital for global oncofertility acceptance and growth.
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