SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Oct. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) has launched a new fertility preservation program, called OncoPrezSM, to better serve patients undergoing cancer treatment. Now available at CTCA® hospitals in Chicago, Philadelphia and Tulsa, the OncoPrez program makes open discussions about fertility and family planning an integral part of treatment planning for all men and women of childbearing years. Through comprehensive evaluations with a team of internal medicine and fertility specialists in conjunction with the patient’s oncology team, the goal of OncoPrez is to ensure that fertility concerns are explored early in the course of treatment to the satisfaction and comfort of each individual, while simultaneously addressing known medical issues to ensure patient safety. The program will be offered at CTCA’s other hospitals in Atlanta and Phoenix in early 2015.
“As medical providers, it is our responsibility to advocate for our patients and ensure they are not only educated about the cancer they are fighting and the available treatment options, but also about the effects those treatments may have on their fertility,” said Nicole Longo, DO, Internal Medicine Physician and Director of OncoPrez at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. “At CTCA, we believe that, regardless of cancer stage, prognosis, age, race, gender, faith or socio-economic status, every person fighting cancer deserves the chance to understand and discuss their options for family planning before selecting a treatment plan that could potentially alter their ability to conceive.”
As part of the OncoPrez program, each CTCA hospital has identified a local, dedicated fertility center to provide a wide range of fertility preservation services. This ensures that CTCA patients who are interested in exploring fertility preservation are provided with a direct referral to a qualified reproductive specialist who is conveniently located, provides access to multiple resources under one roof, and works collaboratively with the patient’s CTCA oncology care team.
“For the majority of people fighting cancer, if family planning is a priority there is a strong possibility there may be an option to help meet their needs,” said Dr. Longo. “For oncology patients, it is vital that fertility preservation is safe, timely and contemplates both previous and future therapies to fight cancer, which is why having a structured, clinically-based program is so important.”
“We are excited to announce the official addition of OncoPrez to the integrative care model we offer patients at Cancer Treatment Centers of America,” said Maurie Markman, MD, President, CTCA Medicine and Science. “It has always been our priority to deliver truly patient-centered care, and the launch of our clinical oncofertility preservation program reaffirms this commitment.”
To learn more about treatment options and the OncoPrez program, please visit www.cancercenter.com.
About Cancer Treatment Centers of America®
Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Inc. (CTCA) is a national network of five hospitals that specialize in the treatment of patients fighting complex or advanced-stage cancer. CTCA offers an integrative approach to cancer treatment that combines surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy with nutritional counseling, naturopathic medicine, mind-body therapy, and spiritual support to enhance quality of life and minimize side effects during treatment. The company serves patients from all 50 states at hospitals located in Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Tulsa. Known for delivering the Mother Standard® of care and Patient Empowerment Medicine®, CTCA provides patients with comprehensive information about their treatment options so they can participate in their treatment decisions. For more information about CTCA, go to www.cancercenter.com.
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SOURCE Cancer Treatment Centers of America
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