Alejandra Mendez, Vice President of Childhood Cancer International, shared on LinkedIn:
“Thank you El Mercurio for publishing our letter today and helping us to make this issue visible.
In Chile, several initiatives related to reproduction and the growing concern about the low birth rate are being discussed. Among them is the ‘Escucha su corazón’ (‘Listen to her heart’) project, which raises new demands for women who face any of the three legal grounds for abortion, and also the regulation of surrogacy in Chile.
In the midst of these debates there is a reality that deserves much more attention: that of young people diagnosed with cancer who do want to be mothers or fathers, but may lose that possibility as a result of the toxicity of cancer treatments.
Preserving eggs or sperm before starting cancer treatment can protect your future chance of starting a family. However, in Chile this access is not guaranteed. We call on the Ministry of Health, Fonasa and Congress to advance in solutions that allow these procedures to be informed, financed and facilitated in a timely manner.
Before looking for new formulas to increase births, let’s move forward with a concrete solution for those who today want to start a family and may lose that possibility simply because of lack of access to fertility preservation.”
Translation of the text below:
“Less Imposition, More Solutions
Dear Editor: If the low birth rate in Chile is truly a concern, it’s difficult to understand why the response is to impose new requirements on a woman facing one of the three legal grounds for abortion.
There is a much more concrete way to act: supporting those who do want to have children and may lose that possibility due to cancer treatment.
Preserving eggs or sperm before starting cancer therapy can make future parenthood possible. However, today this access still largely depends on the ability to pay. Therefore, we call on the Ministry of Health, Fonasa (the public health insurance system), and the relevant authorities to urgently move forward with a solution that guarantees this access.
If we want more births, let’s start by not closing the door on those who wish to start a family.
Alejandra Méndez Risopatrón
Childhood Cancer International
Mónica Gana
Fundación Casa Familia
Pablo Allard M.
Fundación Camino”
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