title: Fertility preservation program before ovarotoxic oncostatic treatments: role of the psychological support in managing emotional aspects.
abstract: Fertility preservation programs (FPPs) based on oocyte or ovarian tissue cryostorage may be offered to women facing oncostatic treatments at risk of precocious ovarian insufficiency. The way in which FPPs are presented to patients affects their decision to join them. We studied herein 48 young women to whom a FPP was proposed, aiming at clarifying the emotional aspects involved. A psychologist attended the consultations in which the FPP was offered to patients; at the end of the talk, a questionnaire was administered and a semi-structured interview was carried out. Finally, the STAI test was administered to measure trait (TAI) and state (SAI) anxiety, both immediately after consultation, and later on, when patients returned home. We observed that the possibility to join a FPP implied important emotional aspects, and that the presence of a psychologist was helpful to integrate technical information and emotions as well as to reduce trait and state anxiety levels. Our study suggests that the presence of a psychologist during the meeting in which a FPP is offered improves communication between doctors and patients, and helps these women to get a full awareness before choosing to join the FPP.
authors: Psychology Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, S. Anna Hospital, University of Torino , Torino , Italy and.
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Razzano
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Revelli
authors: Luisa
authors: L
authors: Delle Piane
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Salvagno
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Casano
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Randaccio
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Benedetto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D003376:Counseling; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D059247:Fertility Preservation / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Female cancer; STAI test; fertility preservation; iatrogenic infertility; oocyte cryostorage; ovarian tissue cryostorage; psycho-oncology