Survey Indicates Support for Cord Blood Procedure
SAN BRUNO, Calif., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- If obstetricians had their way,
expectant mothers would routinely collect and store stem cells from their
newborn's cord blood for future transplantation in the treatment of illnesses,
such as breast cancer, leukemia and lymphoma. Preliminary results of a survey
conducted by San Bruno, Calif.-based Cord Blood Registry, the largest family
cord blood stem cell bank in the United States, indicate that as many as
82 percent of obstetricians recognize the collection and banking of cord blood
cells as a potentially invaluable birthing option. The same number also agree
that patient education regarding cord blood should be routine in obstetrical
practices.
"Our objective through the survey is to gain insight into the
obstetrician's perspective on cord blood banking, and to ultimately clear up
any misconceptions that may exist and ensure that accurate information is
disseminated to prospective parents," explains Stephen Grant, vice president,
corporate communications for the Registry.
In the survey, 79 percent of obstetricians agree that health insurance
providers should give partial or full reimbursement for cord collection and
banking based on the cord blood cells' unique qualities. Unlike bone marrow,
another important source of stem cells, cord blood is available immediately,
precluding lengthy donor searches and minimizing disease progression. In
addition, cord blood stem cells are "naive," allowing for less stringent
donor/recipient matches and less rejection than those from bone marrow. When
the stem cells are from family members, they can potentially result in double
the survival rate for certain diseases.
Finally, 85 percent of survey participants agree that a patient's family
history of cancer is not a reliable measurement of a newborn's or sibling's
potential need for cord blood. The response is based on the fact that the
causes of many cancers are unknown and that experts believe up to 80 percent
of childhood cancers are "environmentally triggered."
Cord Blood Registry's survey, initiated in late April, will continue until
early December and will seek to poll approximately 50,000 obstetricians
nationwide. Obstetricians may share their opinions online
http://www.cordblood.com/Obsurvey/index.htm; by calling 888-CORD BLOOD; or by
stopping at Cord Blood Registry's Booth (#2607) at The American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists' (ACOG) 48th Annual Clinical Meeting at the
Moscone Center in San Francisco.
Cord Blood Registry is the nation's largest family cord blood bank. Over
20,000 babies have their cord blood cells entrusted to the Registry.
Information regarding cord blood cell collection and banking is available on
the Internet at http://www.cordblood.com or through a toll-free number at
888-CORD-BLOOD 888-267-3256.
SOURCE Cord Blood Registry
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Related links:
http://www.cordblood.com
CONTACT:
Stephen Grant, Vice President, Corporate
Communications of Cord Blood Registry, 800-588-6377, ext. 235
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