Bridging the gap: An outlook of oncofertility care in Africa
Document Type
Article
Department
Obstetrics and Gynaecology (East Africa)
Abstract
This article examines existing literature on oncofertility in Africa and explores thebarriers to oncofertility care. Patient-level barriers include lack of awareness aboutfertility preservation options, financial constraints, and the heavy emotional burdenof cancer diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare-provider barriers encompass lack ofawareness, prioritization of prompt cancer treatment, and implicit biases. Health-system barriers include limited facilities that can provide assisted reproductive tech-nologies, limited insurance coverage for oncofertility services, weak referral systems,and the absence of national guidelines on oncofertility care. Socio-cultural barriersinclude religious objections, misinformation contributing to mistrust of fertility pres-ervation options, and ethical dilemmas related to discussing future fertility with can-cer patients whose primary focus is survival or with pediatric patients. This article alsoexplores ways of improving oncofertility care in the region. These include educationalinitiatives for healthcare providers, capacity building, incorporation of oncofertilityservices into national cancer control programs, development of a centralized referralsystem, telemedicine, and increasing awareness to cancer patients.
Publication (Name of Journal)
International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics
DOI
10.1002/ijgo.16175
Recommended Citation
Odhiambo, M.,
Muteshi, C.
(2025). Bridging the gap: An outlook of oncofertility care in Africa. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 1-5.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/eastafrica_fhs_mc_obstet_gynaecol/739
