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Supportive oncofertility care, psychological health and reproductive concerns: a qualitative study

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Abstract

Purpose

Impaired fertility in cancer patients and survivors of reproductive age (15–45 years) may lead to psychological distress and poor mental health outcomes, and may negatively impact quality of life. Limited research has focused on the fertility experiences of those who have had access to supportive oncofertility care. This study aims to explore the fertility-care experiences and reproductive concerns of reproductive age cancer patients at the time of their cancer diagnosis who have had access to oncofertility care.

Methods

The qualitative data from a larger mixed method study is presented, comprising 30 semi-structured telephone interviews with newly diagnosed cancer patients across Australia and New Zealand, undertaken between April 2016 and April 2018.

Results

Interviews were undertaken with 9 male patients and 21 female patients aged between 15 and 44 years. All patients recalled a discussion about fertility and majority underwent some form of fertility preservation. Thematic analysis identified five main themes: (i) satisfaction with oncofertility care, (ii) a need for individualised treatment and support, (iii) desire for parenthood, (iv) fertility treatment can be challenging, and (v) fertility preservation provides a safety net for the future.

Conclusions

Participants who access supportive oncofertility care report low emotional impact of threatened future infertility at the time of cancer diagnosis. These results suggest that such services may assist in lowering the emotional burden of potential infertility in survivors. Long-term research is needed to assess the longitudinal benefits for different models of care.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all the patients and family members who took part in this study sharing personal experiences so that we can improve oncofertility care.

Funding

This work is supported by funding from a Prince of Wales Foundation Champion’s Grant, CanTeen, and ANZCHOG joint funding for Concept Validation.

AA is supported by funding from the Kids Cancer Alliance (KCA) and CanTeen funding from the Federal Health Department.

CW is supported by a Career Development Fellowship from the NHMRC of Australia (APP1143767).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Women and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

    Y. Wang, Shanna Logan, C. E. Wakefield, R. J. Cohn, R. Deans, W. E. Ledger & A. Anazodo

  2. Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Sydney, Australia

    Shanna Logan, C. E. Wakefield, R. J. Cohn, B. Gerstl & A. Anazodo

  3. Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia

    Shanna Logan & A. Anazodo

  4. Fertility & Research Centre, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, Australia

    Shanna Logan, R. Deans & W. E. Ledger

  5. Melbourne IVF, Melbourne, Australia

    K. Stern & F. Agresta

  6. Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia

    K. Stern & F. Agresta

  7. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, Australia

    Y. Jayasinghe

  8. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Women’s Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

    Y. Jayasinghe

  9. Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Australia

    Y. Jayasinghe

  10. Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia

    E. Segelov

  11. Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

    E. Segelov

  12. Monash IVF, Richmond, Australia

    R. I. McLachlan

  13. Andrology Australia, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

    R. I. McLachlan

  14. Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

    E. Sullivan

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  1. Y. Wang
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  2. Shanna Logan
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  3. K. Stern
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  4. C. E. Wakefield
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  7. Y. Jayasinghe
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  8. R. Deans
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  9. E. Segelov
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  10. R. I. McLachlan
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Correspondence to Shanna Logan.

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Wang, Y., Logan, S., Stern, K. et al. Supportive oncofertility care, psychological health and reproductive concerns: a qualitative study. Support Care Cancer 28, 809–817 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04883-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04883-1

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