Page 3518 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 18 September 2019
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talked about today: the lack of quick referrals; the inevitable delays in obtaining appointments, despite the best endeavours of specialists to see people quickly; the costs; and the shock, devastation and indeed destruction of a cancer diagnosis.
Jane knows that feeling of shock all too well. She says the establishment of a fertility preservation service would provide hope to women like her who have been diagnosed with cancer before they have started or completed their families. Such a service would streamline and standardise the process of urgent fertility preservation, ensuring that conversations about family planning are a priority at the time of diagnosis. Jane also believes that it would create an equal platform for patients, ensuring that decisions are based on family planning goals rather than finance or chance encounters with proactive medical professionals.
Beth says that this holistic approach to her cancer treatment plan was crucial to being able to discuss and preserve her fertility as best she could. She knows that there are many women who miss out due to financial barriers or the lack of connectivity between specialists. Beth says that the prospect of having a service in place would be a relief for younger cancer patients facing a deluge of questions and decisions in such a small amount of time. Her reaction to the prospect of a fertility preservation service was: “Thank goodness there is something for other women.”
Not every patient with cancer or another serious disease would need to take up such a service, but having something in place would create peace of mind for adults overwhelmed by a diagnosis like this and the prospect of infertility. Professor Robson says:
It is time for a co-ordinated, centralised, and highly professional fertility service to provide support and resources to young people in the ACT who find themselves with cancer. A service that can come to their aid and address these highly personal needs without delay, and without further complicating or compromising their cancer care.
Dr Cho agrees. She says:
A mechanism by which young cancer patients could have rapid assessment and commencement of fertility preservation is greatly needed.
That is patients like Jane, Beth and Amy, especially patients like Amy. Amy says that missing that small window was devastating. Had there been a discussion about fertility sooner, she believes there would have been time to retrieve and freeze some of her eggs. Asked about the prospect of a fertility preservation service for others, Amy says, “I think this would mean the world to a lot of women.” I commend this motion to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Hospitals—infrastructure
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (11.17): I move:
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