Fertility and Sterility Publishes New Research Underscoring Importance of IVF, Fertility Preservation Access for Cancer Patients During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 22, 2025
For immediate release
The four articles each explore a different aspect of how fertility care intersects with cancer treatment:
- Fertility preservation for cancer: referral guidelines, treatment options, and specific considerations: As cancer incidence and survival rates increase among individuals of reproductive age, fertility preservation has become a critical component of comprehensive cancer care. Common cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can significantly impair reproductive potential, yet access to fertility preservation remains inconsistent. The research paper outlines the best practices for fertility preservation for cancer patients as well as the current barriers to fertility care – including the high cost and lack of insurance coverage.
- Unassisted pregnancy rates and outcomes in cancer survivors: a systematic review: The research shows that although unassisted pregnancy is possible for patients diagnosed with cancer, certain cancers and treatments – including breast cancer – are associated with decreased live birth rates and increased complications. Individualized fertility preservation counseling throughout the cancer diagnosis and treatment process is an important aspect of comprehensive cancer care that helps patients make informed decisions about their future fertility.
- Infertility evaluation and treatment in cancer survivors: The research underscores the unique fertility needs of cancer patients, concluding that IVF remains an essential, often irreplaceable option for fertility preservation and family building.
- Fertility preservation and mental health among cancer patients of reproductive age: The paper makes the case that integrating mental health into clinical models of oncofertility care delivery is critical, highlighting how most patients who preserve fertility report feeling confident in their decision, even if preservation outcomes are not favorable, whereas patients who do not preserve fertility report higher rates of decisional regret.
As of January 1, 2025, about 18.6 million people living in the United States have a history of cancer, and this number is projected to exceed 22 million by 2035.
“Patients diagnosed with cancer already face extraordinary challenges, and worrying about whether they will have the chance to build a family should not be another burden,” said ASRM President Dr. Elizabeth Ginsburg. “IVF is often the only evidence-based treatment that allows many cancer patients to preserve their fertility and maintain hope for the future, but most insurance companies do not cover the treatment, even for cancer survivors. The US must mandate insurance coverage for IVF and fertility preservation treatments to ensure no cancer patient needs to choose between treatment and building a family.”
ASRM continues to advocate for policies that expand, rather than restrict, access to fertility care, particularly for patients whose medical circumstances, like a cancer diagnosis, make timely access to IVF critical.
Fertility and Sterility is the flagship publication of The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). The peer-reviewed journal runs internationally and is published monthly.
For almost a century, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has been the global leader in multidisciplinary reproductive medicine research, ethical practice, and education. ASRM impacts reproductive care and science worldwide by creating funding opportunities for advancing reproduction research and discovery, by providing evidence-based education and public health information, and by advocating for reproductive health care professionals and the patients they serve. With members in more than 100 countries, the Society is headquartered in Washington, DC, with additional operations in Birmingham, AL. www.asrm.org
For media inquiries regarding this press release contact:
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ASRM Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer
E: stipton@asrm.org
Anna Hovey
Advocacy Engagement Specialist
E: ahovey@asrm.org
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Topic Resources
Fertility and Sterility Publishes New Research Underscoring Importance of IVF, Fertility Preservation Access for Cancer Patients During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
New ASRM‑supported research highlights key IVF and fertility preservation access needs for cancer patients — particularly during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. View the Press ReleaseMedication Administration
Is CPT code 96402 applicable to a Depo-Lupron or Zoladex injection by nurse at REI practice, even if there is no diagnosis of cancer? View the AnswerFertility Preservation Consult
What code are we supposed to use for counseling regarding fertility preservation for an individual with cancer... View the AnswerD&C Under Ultrasound Guidance
What are the CPT codes and ICD-10 codes for coding a surgical case for a patient with history of Stage B adenocarcinoma of the cervix ... View the AnswerCycle Monitoring Fertility Preservation
If the patient is undergoing ultrasound tracking visits for fertility preservation, what I ICD-10 code do you use for the monitoring? View the AnswerReproductive and hormonal considerations in women at increased risk for hereditary gynecologic cancers: Society of Gynecologic Oncology and American Society for Reproductive Medicine Evidence-Based Review (2019)
Providers who care for women at risk for hereditary gynecologic cancers must consider the impact of these conditions. View the Joint StatementFertility preservation and reproduction in patients facing gonadotoxic therapies: an Ethics Committee opinion (2018)
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Our center performs oocyte preservation procedures for women looking to preserve their fertility. View the AnswerFertility Preservation Consult
What code are we supposed to use for counseling regarding fertility preservation for an individual with cancer... View the AnswerCoding For Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation
Now that ASRM has removed the "experimental" designation from ovarian tissue cryopreservation what CPT code should be used instead of 0058T? View the AnswerCycle Monitoring Fertility Preservation
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A summary of codes for Fertility Preservation compiled by the ASRM Coding Committee. View the Coding SummaryAccess to fertility services by transgender and nonbinary persons: an Ethics Committee opinion (2021)
The provision of fertility services to transgender individuals and the denial of access to fertility services is not justified. View the Committee OpinionFertility preservation in patients undergoing gonadotoxic therapy or gonadectomy: a committee opinion (2019)
Expert guidelines on fertility preservation options—oocyte, embryo, ovarian and testicular tissue cryopreservation and counseling before gonadotoxic treatment. View the Committee OpinionReproductive and hormonal considerations in women at increased risk for hereditary gynecologic cancers: Society of Gynecologic Oncology and American Society for Reproductive Medicine Evidence-Based Review (2019)
Providers who care for women at risk for hereditary gynecologic cancers must consider the impact of these conditions. View the Joint StatementFertility preservation and reproduction in patients facing gonadotoxic therapies: an Ethics Committee opinion (2018)
Patients receiving gonadotoxic treatment should be informed of options for fertility preservation and future reproduction prior to such treatment. View the Committee OpinionFertility Preservation Special Interest Group (FPSIG)
The FPSIG promotes knowledge on infertility induced by cancer therapy and other medical treatments. Learn more about FPSIGTopic Resources
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