Breast cancer survivors and fertility preservation: ethical and religious considerations.
OBJECTIVE
To review religious and ethical considerations for health care professionals when discussing fertility preservation with young survivors.


METHODS
Published research reports and articles, published guidelines, and web sites.


CONCLUSIONS
Although advances in assisted reproductive technology have increased fertility preservation options, not all treatments are acceptable or available for all young survivors.


CONCLUSIONS
The ongoing provision of information from health care professionals allows young survivors to make high-quality decisions about fertility across the survivorship continuum. Knowledge of the influence that religious beliefs and economics have on decisions help nurses to better understand and support patients during this difficult time.
Jukkala
Angela
A
University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Nursing, NB 312, 1530 3rd Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. jukkalaa@uab.edu
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000941:ethics*; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000941:ethics* / Q000451:nursing; D017741:Survivors