Experience of fertility preservation among younger people diagnosed with cancer

Abstract

Of the 293,600 cancers diagnosed annually in the UK, 11% occur in the 15- to 49-year age group. Fertility preservation options exist for those faced with the loss of fertility as a consequence of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to explore experiences, attitudes and perceptions of fertility advice and treatment among cancer survivors, and the subsequent impact upon their lives. Eighteen people aged 19–42 years with a diagnosis of cancer made more than 5 years earlier and, registered with general practices in North East England, were interviewed using a grounded approach. Survival was the universal focus of patients at the point of diagnosis and they commonly failed to appreciate the effect of treatment upon future fertility. A positive experience was linked to the quality of information about fertility preservation or action offered, but this needed to be tailored to the patients' age, stage in their life course, relationships and fears. Possible loss of future fertility only becomes important beyond survival but patients wanted their potential future fertility addressed sensitively at the time of diagnosis and backed up by access to written or web-based patient information, or a fertility specialist.