Abstract
IntroductionMany breast centers have adopted multidisciplinary tumor boards to discuss and develop treatment plans for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. This study aims to determine whether adding a fertility specialist to tumor board will improve fertility counseling and utilization in breast cancer patients MethodsA retrospective study of reproductive age patients diagnosed with breast cancer between January 1, 2012, and January 31, 2020, before and after integrating a designated fertility specialist into a comprehensive multidisciplinary care (cMDC) tumor board. Rates of fertility counseling and preservation were assessed for patients treated before (pre-cMDC) and after (post-cMDC) tumor board enhancement. Associations of race/ethnicity, age, chemotherapy, hormone receptor status, insurance type, parity, stage, site of treatment, and home county with fertility care rates were assessed in the post-cMDC group. ResultsOf 306 patients diagnosed with breast cancer, 117 (38%) were in the pre-cMDC and 189 (62%) were in the post-cMDC tumor board group. Significantly more patients in the post-cMDC tumor board group were offered fertility counseling than patients in the pre-cMDC tumor board group (23.3% (44) vs. 0.9% (1); P < .001). However, rate of fertility preservation did not differ significantly between groups. ConclusionIntegrating a fertility specialist within a cMDC tumor board may help improve rates of fertility counseling among breast cancer patients but may not improve preservation rates.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call