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Raw Talk PodcastAuthor: Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto
Raw Talk is a graduate student-run podcast at the University of Toronto about medical science, and the people who make it happen. We focus on the journeys, perspectives, and expertise of health researchers, professionals, students, patients, and community members at the University of Toronto and beyond. Our mission is to promote the research culture within the Institute of Medical Science, the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and broader life sciences community; provide guidance to current and prospective graduate students; and to engage the public in medical science innovations and translational research. Language: en Genres: Life Sciences, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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#135 Part 2: Reproductive Futures at Risk, Why Fertility Preservation Must Be a Health System Priority
Episode 136
Friday, 5 June, 2026
When cancer treatment puts a patient’s reproductive future at risk, fertility preservation offers options, but only if people are informed early enough and can access care equitably. In this episode, Sonika and Julia investigate the science and realities of fertility preservation with Dr. Jenna Michaeli, an oncofertility specialist and clinician-scientist at Mount Sinai Fertility. She introduces the different preservation options available, including egg and embryo freezing, sperm banking, and a newer technique called ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC). Dr. Michaeli discusses some of the innovative models of care required for equitable access to OTC, such as transporting ovarian tissue to centralized cryobanks to expand access for patients in remote communities. Beyond the science, Dr. Michaeli emphasizes the emotional and ethical complexity of fertility preservation decisions, particularly for young patients and their families, and the importance of culturally sensitive counselling. She also addresses key barriers, including limited awareness, time-sensitive referrals, and gaps in funding for newer procedures like OTC. Tune in for an informative conversation about how fertility preservation needs to be better integrated into cancer treatment, and why equitable access remains a critical challenge. Thank you to our production team: Sonika Kumari and Julia Wong (Show Hosts), Tesam Ahmed (Content Creator), Emily Forster (Science Writer), Nicole Chu (Audio Editing), Saleena Zedan (Graphic design and Promotions), and Nicole Chu (Executive Producer).
