An explorative study of the psychological profile of women who access an oncofertility unit.

Abstract

e21557 Background: Advances in cancer treatment have resulted in an increase in survival rates. Thus, quality of life after disease is being addressed more often; loss of fertility is a crucial aspect, especially in young women. This study aims to investigate the psychological profile of women who access the Oncofertility Unit at the San Raffaele Hospital before gonadotoxic treatment. Psychological consultation is undertaken prior to the medical evaluation as an integrative part of fertility preservation counselling. Our hypothesis is that women who access the Unit present psychologically adaptive characteristics, which facilitate a better adjustment to diagnosis and disease; this involves the decision to cryopreserve their oocytes to avoid possible future infertility. Methods: Seventy-six women were counselled between January 2014-2017; 96% of these (N = 73) decided to undergo cryopreservation. Only these women returned the administered questionnaires and took part in the study. A self-report measure and three validated questionnaires were used: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), the State Trait Anxiety Inventory Form-Y (STAI-Y), and the Temperament and Character Inventory – Revised (TCI-R). Results: The age range of the sample was 19-42 years (mean = 30.49; SD = 5.42); 21% (N = 15) of patients were older than 35 years. Seventeen women (23%) were single and 12% (N = 9) had children prior to the cancer diagnosis. Regarding the BDI, 89% (N = 65) of patients obtained minimal depression scores [0-13]. On the STAI-Y trait subscale, 70% (N = 51) of patients’ scores fell within the low anxiety range [20-40]; state anxiety scores were higher, but only 18% (N = 13) of women reported high levels [60-80]. The TCI-R highlighted that 95% (N = 69) of patients had medium or high levels of Persistence (perseverance despite fatigue Conclusions: Women who access the Unit report low levels of psychological distress (depression and anxiety) and show adaptive personality traits. This supports our hypothesis. The main study limitation of the study is the lack of data regarding women who decided not to undergo cryopreservation.