§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to address problems with fertility amongst teenage cancer sufferers. [172794]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonCurrently, many teenage girls and boys are advised to consider having their eggs/ embryos or sperm stored for future fertility treatment. Fertility problems among teenage cancer sufferers will be included in the upcoming National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on child and adolescent cancers.
This guidance is expected to be published in February 2005 and will specifically address specialist follow up for the late effects of treatment, including fertility, along with allied treatment services children and adolescents with cancer may need, such as fertility services.
This guidance will take into account the fertility guidance already published by NICE in February 2004, which recommended early specialist referral when there is a known reason for infertility, such as prior treatment for cancer.