As a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at MD Anderson, I bridge oncology and reproductive medicine to expand family-building options for cancer patients.

About 10% of people diagnosed with cancer are of reproductive age. My goal is for them to have the option to undergo fertility preservation before starting cancer treatment. I also want to discuss their family-building options after they’ve completed cancer treatment.

I believe that a cancer diagnosis should not keep you from having the family you’ve always wanted.

Why oncofertility is important in cancer care

I spent many years caring for fertility patients – that is, people who seek medical treatment in hopes of conceiving a child. And I found that many of my patients had been impacted by cancer. I wanted to do all that I could to help them. That led me to specialize in oncofertility; I now focus strictly on reproductive options for people with cancer.

There is much that is still unknown about the reproductive impact of many cancer therapies. So, my research focuses on exploring the treatment-related impacts and providing better counseling for people preparing to undergo cancer treatment. I want to learn more about how treatment can impact their future fertility and help us improve fertility preservation options.

The good news is that most people treated for cancer will become long-term survivors. A big part of their survivorship is the desire to have children in the future. I’m passionate about expanding their options and talking to patients about how to protect their fertility before they start treatment.

For me, it’s personal

My family knows firsthand how important oncofertility is. My husband is a cancer survivor, and he was initially treated at MD Anderson almost 30 years ago. We have three wonderful children, largely due to fertility preservation.

I’ve seen the type of care MD Anderson provides to its patients. It’s unsurpassed. My husband is doing so well largely because of the commitment and effort of his physicians who cared for him and continue to care for him today. And now we have a beautiful family.

Because of that outstanding care he received, I knew I wanted to work at MD Anderson. Now, as a faculty member, I’m able to give back by providing my patients the same quality care my husband received. It’s truly rewarding.

Patients are our No. 1 focus

I love working at MD Anderson because our patients are at the heart of everything we do. We view it as our passion, not a job. We want the very best for every patient we see, and we care for them as though they are members of our own families.

Cancer treatment isn’t just about the physical aspects of undergoing therapy. For so many of the young patients I care for, future fertility and having a family are extremely important. So, if we focus solely on their cancer treatment and ignore these other important aspects of their care, we are not doing the best we can for our patients.

At MD Anderson, we focus on the entirety of the patient’s care and what’s important to them. That’s one way we’re able to sustain long-term relationships with patients. We have patients who stay in touch with us 10, 20, 30 years down the road. They send us photos of their families, including milestones in their children’s lives. And we love celebrating those successes with them. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing patients live the lives they were always intended to have.

As I tell every patient: a cancer diagnosis does not define you nor does it limit you in terms of what you see for yourself and your future family.

Laurie McKenzie, M.D., is a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at MD Anderson.

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