Fertility issues with Cancer Patients

[Guest guest]

Dear Group,

We have had patients in the past who had babies and some who were worried

about their fertility. I found this issue that deals with fertility and some

may address your own personal issues.

" Despite the high risk of infertility associated with cancer treatment, few

oncologists refer patients to fertility specialists or provide adequate

educational material, according to the results of a study presented at the 2009

annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Orlando,

Florida.

" One factor that increases the anxiety of many newly diagnosed cancer patients

is the possible impact of treatment on their fertility. Depending on the type of

treatment as well as the age of the patient, some cancer therapies can affect

fertility in both women and men. It is important to address concerns about

fertility prior to initiating treatment, as measures can be taken to preserve

fertility for patients who may still wish to have children in the future.

Despite this fact, many patients report that they do not receive adequate

information about fertility preservation prior to starting treatment.

" Researchers conducted a national survey to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and

patterns related to fertility preservation for patients of childbearing age. Of

1,979 oncologists identified, 613 completed the survey. The survey was designed

to determine how many oncologists were following the ASCO guidelines for

fertility preservation, which suggest that oncologists discuss the risks of

infertility and refer all patients of a childbearing age to a

fertility-preservation specialist.

" Although the majority of oncologists (77%) reported discussing fertility

preservation with their patients, less than 25% of oncologists reported

referring patients to a specialist for fertility preservation. Only 38% of

oncologists reported knowledge of the ASCO guidelines for fertility preservation

(recommending referral). Less than 25% of oncologists reported providing

patients with educational materials about fertility preservation. The most

commonly reported barrier to the discussion of fertility preservation was the

perception that a patient was too ill to delay treatment. The researchers

concluded that although the majority of oncologists report that they are

discussing fertility preservation with their patients, they are still neglecting

to provide educational material or referrals to specialists. "

Reference: Quinn G, Vadaparampil ST, sen P, et al. National survey of

physicians practice patterns: Fertility preservation and cancer patients.

Presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical

Oncology, May 29-June 2, 2009, Orlando, FL. Abstract CRA9508.

Despite the high risk of infertility associated with cancer treatment, few

oncologists refer patients to fertility specialists or provide adequate

educational material, according to the results of a study presented at the 2009

annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Orlando,

Florida.

One factor that increases the anxiety of many newly diagnosed cancer patients is

the possible impact of treatment on their fertility. Depending on the type of

treatment as well as the age of the patient, some cancer therapies can affect

fertility in both women and men. It is important to address concerns about

fertility prior to initiating treatment, as measures can be taken to preserve

fertility for patients who may still wish to have children in the future.

Despite this fact, many patients report that they do not receive adequate

information about fertility preservation prior to starting treatment.

Researchers conducted a national survey to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and

patterns related to fertility preservation for patients of childbearing age. Of

1,979 oncologists identified, 613 completed the survey. The survey was designed

to determine how many oncologists were following the ASCO guidelines for

fertility preservation, which suggest that oncologists discuss the risks of

infertility and refer all patients of a childbearing age to a

fertility-preservation specialist.

Although the majority of oncologists (77%) reported discussing fertility

preservation with their patients, less than 25% of oncologists reported

referring patients to a specialist for fertility preservation. Only 38% of

oncologists reported knowledge of the ASCO guidelines for fertility preservation

(recommending referral). Less than 25% of oncologists reported providing

patients with educational materials about fertility preservation. The most

commonly reported barrier to the discussion of fertility preservation was the

perception that a patient was too ill to delay treatment.

The researchers concluded that although the majority of oncologists report that

they are discussing fertility preservation with their patients, they are still

neglecting to provide educational material or referrals to specialists.

Reference:

[1] Quinn G, Vadaparampil ST, sen P, et al. National survey of physicians

practice patterns: Fertility preservation and cancer patients. Presented at the

2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, May 29-June 2,

2009, Orlando, FL. Abstract CRA9508.

http://www.caring4cancer.com/go/cancer/news?NewsItemId=43657

FYI,

Lottie