Knowledge regarding fertility preservation in cancer patients: a population-based survey among Brazilian people during the Pink October awareness event.

Mauricio B Chehin,Paulo C Serafini,Eduardo La Motta,Tatiana Cs Bonetti

doi:10.5935/1518-0557.20170021

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the knowledge about the risk of infertility in cancer patients after treatment, and the options for fertility preservation based on a survey carried out during the 2013 Pink October campaign.MethodsThis survey was carried out during the 2013 Pink October event in the most important public park of São Paulo, Brazil. Approximately 900 people expressed interest in learning about breast cancer prevention and fertility preservation by participating in workshops, and 242 people filled out a questionnaire.ResultsMost of the respondents (78.5%) were women, and one-fourth (25%) had at least one relative with gynecological cancer. Among women over 40 years of age, 86.3% had been screened for breast cancer at some point. However, few participants (34.0%) were aware that cancer treatment can lead to infertility or had heard about fertility preservation options (22.0%). Having a relative with cancer did not influence their knowledge about fertility preservation (22.4% versus 21.3%; p=0.864). However, a higher educational level was significantly associated with more knowledge about the effects of cancer on fertility and options for fertility preservation.ConclusionsThe majority of participants did not have knowledge about the impact of oncologic treatment on fertility and did not know that there are options to preserve fertility in cancer patients. Awareness of infertility risk factors is an essential first step to safeguard future fertility, and therefore, more educational initiatives are needed to spread knowledge about oncofertility.

Highlights

Advances in cancer therapy over the past two decades have led to a remarkable improvement in survival rates
The survey included questions on demographic characteristics, such as gender, age, educational status, occupation, and the following cancerrelated questions: (1) Do you have a relative with gynecological cancer? and (2) Have you been previously screened for breast cancer? The survey included questions on fertility preservation in cancer patients: (1) Have you heard about fertility preservation in cancer patients? (2) Do you know that patients can be infertile after cancer treatment? (3) Do you know anyone younger than 40 years who has had cancer?
Only 34.0% of the participants were aware that cancer treatment can lead to infertility, and only 22.0% had heard about fertility preservation options (Figure 1A and 1B)

Summary

Introduction

Advances in cancer therapy over the past two decades have led to a remarkable improvement in survival rates. In addition to increasing survival, addressing the diverse psychological and physical effects of malignancy is a priority to optimize the quality-of-life of cancer survivors. The damaging effects of cancer treatments and, occasionally, of the disease process itself on reproductive function are well recognized (Grynberg, 2016). Loss of reproductive potential after cancer treatment represents an important issue for the patients’ well-being, and it negatively affects quality-oflife in young survivors (Tschudin & Bitzer, 2009; Niemasik et al, 2012). The concept of oncofertility was proposed a decade ago (Woodruff, 2010), and with the developments in assisted reproductive technologies, there are several fertility preservation approaches available for cancer patients wishing to have children in the future. Fertility is recognized as a critical component of quality-of-life for cancer survivors, and fertility preservation should be considered a natural extension of cancer care (RodriguezWallberg & Oktay, 2010)

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Conclusion