Empowering hope through fertility support for women with cancer

Enter BeyondX, a collaborative patient solution designed to support women with cancer to navigate their fertility choices, providing essential information and support before time runs out.   

As a psychologist trained in fertility counselling, Sally Schulze listened to the deeply moving stories of women who courageously survived cancer, only to encounter the profound sadness of infertility.

“I have talked to cancer survivors in their 20s who were in tears because they didn’t know when they started treatment for cancer that they had options, just to learn later that they might have been able to preserve their fertility,” says Sally from her office in Frankfurt, Germany. “After multiple rounds of aggressive therapy, however, it was too late.”

Cancer patients face many crucial decisions and may be unaware or too overwhelmed to recognise that treatment could jeopardise their future chances of having children. Through her company,Sally was already providing valuable information and facilitating expert-led support groups to assist women and couples dealing with infertility. 

After hearing the stories of cancer survivors facing infertility, Sally was driven to support patients seeking information about fertility-preserving measures before undergoing cancer treatment. To bring this vision to life, she teamed up with Maike Schmitz, therapeutic area lead for oncology for the Berlin-based companyThis healthcare venture builder develops digital platform business models for patients, healthcare professionals and caregivers.

Both organisations shared a mutual goal of breaking down barriers that prevent women from getting access to information and the care they need. Together, MentalStark and  RoX Health, with support from Roche, developed and launcheda patient solution in the area of oncofertility. This medical field combines oncology and reproductive endocrinology to help cancer survivors preserve their ability to have children.

“The goal of BeyondX is for every patient to be able to make an informed decision about possible fertility measures - no matter if they want a family or are not sure about it,” Maike says.   

BeyondX, which launched in Germany and is now available in Austria and Switzerland, is free to patients. “We believe accessibility is crucial in such a difficult time,” she adds.

In Germany alone, about 15,000 young people between the ages of 18 and 40 receive a cancer diagnosis each year, according to Maike. “A large portion of these patients are not informed  that their cancer or treatment can have a negative effect on their fertility.” 

Through video calls and personal chats, the organisation provides information and encourages oncologists and patients to connect with fertility specialists, helping women with cancer navigate their emotions and choices about fertility, Sally says. 

“We believe that all cancer patients should have the chance to make an informed decision about fertility-preserving measures before undergoing a potentially fertility-damaging therapy,” Sally adds. “People need reliable sources of information. Real expertise is not something you can get from the internet.” 

A network of fertility clinics across Germany, Switzerland and Austria called FertiProtekt provides fast-tracked treatments and counselling for cancer patients. When women access these treatments they can often navigate their fertility choices well, Sally says. 

“FertiProtekt counselling is a great resource  but too few patients are accessing it. This is why we have inserted BeyondX - to build that digital bridge.” 

BeyondX refers patients to FertiPROTEKT, which organises oncofertility care in 150 fertility clinics in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Here cancer patients receive counselling and treatment with no wait. 

FertiPROTEKT, through ongoing research in the FertiTox study, is working on foreseeing the side effects of cancer treatment on fertility.  “Ideally, future cancer treatment includes an accurate forecast of if or how fertility could be negatively impacted by cancer treatment,” Sally says. This information can help patients make decisions about fertility preservation. 

Only 7% of cancer patients receive counselling in a fertility clinic, she says.

“Most patients are not taking any fertility measures and might not have the chance to start a family after overcoming their cancer. Survivors who want to get to a new normal, who possibly want to start a family suddenly realise that opportunity has passed, severely impacting their life and wellbeing after overcoming cancer, ” Maike adds. 

In addition to some treatments causing infertility, there is often a short window of time before cancer treatment begins when eggs, sperm or ovarian tissue can be harvested and frozen for later use, making it crucial to act quickly. 

“My boyfriend and I want to have children. It's good to have taken care of the topic of fertility,” said one cancer patient who received support from BeyondX. “It gives me hope and a perspective for the time after therapy.”  

Roche uses its networks to help spread the word about BeyondX and fertility preservation options across the country.

“If we give women access to women's health and self-determination of their reproductive health, I think it will make the world a better place,” Sally says.