title: A Qualitative Study of the Impact of Cancer on Romantic Relationships, Sexual Relationships, and Fertility: Perspectives of Canadian Adolescents and Parents During and After Treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to gain insight into perspectives around core domains of adolescent development--romantic relationships, sexual relationships, and fertility--from the vantage point of Canadian adolescents and parents during and after cancer treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty adolescents (12-17 years old at interview) and 20 parents (who may or may not have had an adolescent interviewed) participated in this study. Using a semistructured guide, adolescents and parents were interviewed separately. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Transcribed interview data were independently coded according to the study objectives by two trained analysts. Codes were organized into categories that reflected emerging themes. Discrepancies in coding were resolved through discussion with the lead investigator.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Qualitative analysis revealed main themes for adolescents and parents related to: (1) romantic relationships (opinions on the importance of dating in the context of cancer, expectations that cancer will impact future relationships, dating as a source of moral support, and limited opportunities to engage with partners); (2) sexual relationships (thoughts related to the impact of cancer on future sexual relationships); (3) fertility (initiating treatment as a primary concern and fear of infertility and perceived consequences); and (4) recommendations for care (access to knowledge and support through adolescent-friendly and accessible means).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings from this study highlight cancer-specific relationship and fertility issues faced by adolescents and provide important direction to the development of interventions that may ultimately improve the psychosocial health of adolescents during and after cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .|2 Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .|3 Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .
authors.forename: Jennifer N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Stinson
authors.affiliation: 3 Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .|4 Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .|5 Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .
authors.forename: Lindsay A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Jibb
authors.affiliation: 4 Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .|5 Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .|6 Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .|4 Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .|6 Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .
authors.forename: Maru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barrera
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luca
authors.affiliation: 7 Mount Sinai Hospital , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .
authors.forename: Meghan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: 4 Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .|6 Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .|8 Adolescent and Young Adult Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .
authors.forename: Abha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003380:Courtship / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D059247:Fertility Preservation / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D009864:Ontario; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support
keywords: dating; fertility; interview; parents; qualitative; sexuality