Nurse practice issues regarding sperm banking in adolescent male cancer patients.
The impressive increase in the survival rate of childhood cancer patients has produced increased interest in quality of life issues. This research addresses nurse practice issues in determining whether the newly diagnosed adolescent male patient is offered the option of sperm banking before undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Questionnaires were distributed to nurses and nurse practitioners on 3 inpatient and outpatient units who care for adolescent male cancer patients at the time of diagnosis, during chemotherapy, and during follow-up care. Findings indicate that 96.3% of respondents agreed that all male patients undergoing cancer treatment with infertility as a potential side effect should be offered sperm banking. Respondents viewed oncologists and nurse practitioners as appropriate professionals to discuss the option. Lack of knowledge regarding sperm banking could be limiting nurses' willingness to introduce the topic, and education regarding cryopreservation may improve their knowledge and practice.
Reebals
Jeri F
JF
University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA. jreebals@charter.net
Brown
Richard
R
Buckner
Ellen B
EB
D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D007317:Insemination, Artificial, Homologous; D008297:Male; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D011788:Quality of Life; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013074:Sperm Banks; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents