Event Topic:
A brain tumour diagnosis can raise many concerns, including how treatment might affect fertility. Many find themselves navigating difficult questions around impact of treatment on fertility, fertility preservation and planning for the future. These are important concerns which could be emotionally challenging to navigate, yet they’re not always addressed during the early stages of diagnosis and treatment planning.
In this Q&A session, facilitated by Dr. Jim Whittle (Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre), you will meet a fantastic panel of people with expertise in fertility, reproductive health and genetics, as well as a community member with lived experience of a brain tumour diagnosis as a teenager and navigating the potential impacts this could have on her fertility and options for having children in future. Together they will cover how different treatments may impact fertility, available preservation options, and key considerations for those thinking about family planning, now or in the future.
About our panel members:
- Dr. Jim Whittle. Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Head of the Brain Cancer Research Lab at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research (WEHI).
- A/Prof. Kate Stern AO. A/Prof Stern is a fertility specialist at the Royal Women’s Hospital and at Melbourne IVF and her main clinical and research interest is in fertility for cancer patients.
- A/Prof. Alison Trainer. A/Prof. Alison Trainer is a consultant clinical geneticist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
- Katy Walshe. Clinical nurse consultant at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and works in paediatric and adolescent oncology nursing. Her research focuses on fertility preservation, sexual health and well-being in young people, pain management, and palliative care.
- Our panel will also include “Sally”*, who has lived experience of a brain tumour diagnosis, and will share her experience of navigating fertility concerns associated with her diagnosis. Sally is a university student who is interested in pursuing a career in the health sector. In her spare time, she enjoys learning guitar, going on coffee dates with friends, and morning walks in her neighbourhood. *Pseudonym used to protect our panellist’s identity at her request.
Please note: these webinars are for education purposes only and should not be taken as individual medical advice. Consult with your healthcare team to find out what approach is best for you.
Some resources mentioned by the panellists:
During the webinar, the panellists mentioned various resources, websites and services. We have provided links to these below for you.
- Maybe Later Baby. A PDF guide produced by Canteen about relationships, sex and fertility for young people after cancer.
- Cancer Council Australia’s Summary of the COSA guidelines for fertility preservation for people with cancer.
- Public fertility care – Government Department of Health, Victoria.
- Cancer treatment & fertility services and resources at the Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria.
- Fertility Preservation services and resources at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.
- Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre website (Peter Mac) has lots of great resources on a range of topics relating to living well with and beyond cancer, including this page on Fertility.
- Sony Foundation Australia is the charitable arm of the Sony Group of Companies operating in Australia that raises funds to help improve the lives of young Australians with cancer, disability, and experiencing homelessness or at disadvantage. Their website has a section called Youth Cancer, including the You Can Fertility Referral Hub.
- The Victorian/Tasmanian Youth Cancer Action Board (YCAB) is a board of young people who have had a cancer diagnosis between the ages of 15 and 25 years. They provide advice and guidance on cancer policy, priorities and services affecting Victorian and Tasmanian youth and raise awareness for AYA cancer through presentations, media appearances and other opportunities. You can find out more about their work and also how to get involved with the YCAB and associated Youth Cancer Action Advocates (YCAA) on their website.
When was the webinar held?
The webinar was held at 10am AEST on Thursday 8th May 2025. The webinar was recorded for those unable to attend live or in case you want to re-watch it, and is available from our website.
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