The problem with offering unproven treatments
The UK's "traffic light" system rates fertility add-ons based on evidence. Some add-ons don't work, some haven't been adequately tested, some cause harm. But will knowing this protect patients?
A few years back, the UK fertility regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), came out with a simple way for patients to assess co-called "add-ons" — tests and treatments that are offered in addition to routine care. These are often new and as-yet-unproven options. They may or may not achieve what they purport to achieve. They often cost a lot of money.
The traffic light system rates each test or treatment based on available scientific evidence. Initially, the ratings were just Green, Red and Amber. But recently, the system was updated with a bit more nuance. The core idea remains the same, however: help patients make good decisions by providing not only information but some judgement.
Some add-ons are not safe. Some are not effective. Some may actually harm a person's chance of getting to a baby. Others work, but only in limited ways or for certain kinds of patients.
You can find the ratings here.
I have always been a bit jealous that Canada doesn't have a body like the HFEA and that we don't have resources like this rating system. But the reality is, this information is free for anyone to use and is just as applicable here as there. I hope Canadians and others find out about this and use it.
But that leads me to this week's item... Is it enough to simply know this stuff?
Last month, I sat in on a great online meeting put on by the the UK charity Progress Educational Trust. The meeting was about the recent updates to this traffic light system and what people thought of them. For all sorts of reasons it was a really interesting session.
But what stuck with me was the comments from the panellists who had gone through fertility treatment themselves. To a person they thought the traffic light system was useful.
BUT... they all said.
And it was a sobering but.
Below I share some of their insights.
