TY - JOUR

T1 - How do young women with cancer experience oncofertility counselling during cancer treatment? A qualitative, single centre study at a Danish tertiary hospital

AU - Bentsen, Line

AU - Pappot, Helle

AU - Hjerming, Maiken

AU - Colmorn, Lotte B.

AU - Macklon, Kirsten T.

AU - Hanghøj, Signe

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer are at risk of therapy-induced infertility. The importance of initial and specialized fertility counselling to this patient group is undisputed. Despite international guidelines, oncofertility counselling is still inadequate. The purpose of this study was to examine how female AYA cancer patients and survivors experi-enced initial and specialized oncofertility counselling, and to present their specific suggestions on how to improve the oncofertility counselling. Methods: Twelve individual semi‐structured interviews were performed with AYAs aged 20–35 with cancer or who were survivors. Participants were recruited via a youth support centre and social organization for AYAs with cancer. Data was ana-lysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes were found: Support is needed for navi-gating the fertility information jungle; The doctor’s approach determines the content of the patient consultation; Inadequate and worrying information causes mistrust and frustration. Conclusion: Results indicate a continuing problem regarding insufficient oncofertility counselling to AYAs with cancer. To ensure adequate and uniform information, especially in the initial oncofertility counsel-ling, national guidelines for oncology specialists are suggested including multidisciplinary effort and collaboration between oncology and fertility specialists in mind. In addition, participants suggest focus on communication skills.

AB - Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer are at risk of therapy-induced infertility. The importance of initial and specialized fertility counselling to this patient group is undisputed. Despite international guidelines, oncofertility counselling is still inadequate. The purpose of this study was to examine how female AYA cancer patients and survivors experi-enced initial and specialized oncofertility counselling, and to present their specific suggestions on how to improve the oncofertility counselling. Methods: Twelve individual semi‐structured interviews were performed with AYAs aged 20–35 with cancer or who were survivors. Participants were recruited via a youth support centre and social organization for AYAs with cancer. Data was ana-lysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes were found: Support is needed for navi-gating the fertility information jungle; The doctor’s approach determines the content of the patient consultation; Inadequate and worrying information causes mistrust and frustration. Conclusion: Results indicate a continuing problem regarding insufficient oncofertility counselling to AYAs with cancer. To ensure adequate and uniform information, especially in the initial oncofertility counsel-ling, national guidelines for oncology specialists are suggested including multidisciplinary effort and collaboration between oncology and fertility specialists in mind. In addition, participants suggest focus on communication skills.

KW - Adolescents and young adults (AYAs)

KW - Cancer

KW - Fertility

KW - Oncofertility counselling

KW - Qualitative study

U2 - 10.3390/cancers13061355

DO - 10.3390/cancers13061355

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33802795

AN - SCOPUS:85102569480

VL - 13

JO - Cancers

JF - Cancers

SN - 2072-6694

IS - 6

M1 - 1355

ER -