|
There are significant gaps in the information women receive abouttheir future fertility following cancer diagnosis, suggests a new paper published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Infertility can be a side-effect of cancer treatment and there are increasingnumbers of people of reproductive age undergoing such treatment. This study - led by the University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian -looks at perceptions and use of fertility preservation techniquesin both men and women of reproductive age who have recently beendiagnosed with cancer. It is the first study to explore the experience of discussingfuture fertility at the time of cancer diagnosis amongst youngermen and women. Sixteen men and 18 women aged 17-49 took part along with 15 healthprofessionals concerned in cancer care. Patients were receivingtreatment for blood related and other cancers between August 2008and June 2010. Patients were interviewed soon after their first consultation aftera diagnosis of cancer had been made. Topics discussed included:patients' perceptions and understanding of the initial diagnosis,the prognosis and their future reproductive choices; perceivedquality and source of information received, communication andsupport; and the role of partners, family members, friends andhealthcare professionals. In addition, staff were asked about their opinions on theinformation given to younger people with cancer, their knowledgeand views of the treatments available with respect to fertilitypreservation and their perceptions of patients' priorities. The paper found that almost all of the patients had been givenwritten information about cancer treatment, which included a smallsection on fertility preservation. Men and women were given different information reflecting thevarying fertility preservation options available, perceived successrates and subsequent delay in accessing cancer treatment. Men were actively encouraged to consider storage of sperm, even ifthey had children already. Nearly all had a discussion with staffabout sperm banking and a local protocol was in place for immediatereferral. However, in contrast, few women interviewed could rememberfertility preservation being discussed and there was no protocol inplace. From the staff interviews, the main reason why staff did notdiscuss fertility preservation with the majority of women was theirbelief that treatment was perceived to be more urgent. The studyalso found that health professionals did not discuss futurefertility in detail because they felt patients were given a wealthof information during their first visit and that fertility wouldnot be affected if treatment using first line drugs was successful. Valerie Peddie, Fertility Nurse Specialist/Research Midwife, Schoolof Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, and co-author ofthe paper said: "It has been widely argued that at the time ofdiagnosis, patients should be provided with accurate informationabout the potential risk of impaired fertility after treatment forcancer irrespective of whether local facilities for gametecryopreservation exist. "However in reality, the immediate emphasis is often on treatment,with little time available to discuss future fertility or optionsfor fertility preservation. "Our study has demonstrated significant gaps in the informationprovided to young women diagnosed with cancer and suggests the needfor an early appointment with a fertility expert." BJOG Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Pierre Martin-Hirsch, added: "This isa unique study as it looks specifically at younger men and women'sexperiences however it is a small scale study and more researchneeds to be conducted in a larger population. Following that carepathways should be developed looking at fertility and cancertreatment." Additional References Citations. I am an expert from skf16.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Angular Contact Ball Bearing , Thin-wall Bearing, Angular Contact Ball Bearing ,and more.
Related Articles -
Angular Contact Ball Bearing, Thin-wall Bearing,
|
