Fertility concerns among child and adolescent cancer survivors and their parents: A qualitative analysis.
Cancer diagnoses and treatment may have long-term effects on fertility. Semistructured interviews were administered to young cancer survivors (<20 years) and their parents (n = 97). Fertility related concerns were reported by 45 participants (46.4%). Themes included: distress regarding potential infertility; the effect of infertility on future relationships, self-esteem, and miscommunications/confusion about fertility status; access to fertility testing; and preservation options. Parents also reported challenges regarding how and when it was developmentally appropriate to talk to their children about fertility. The development of comprehensive consumer-driven approaches to managing the fertility concerns of young survivors and their families is essential.
a Behavioural Sciences Unit proudly supported by the Kids with Cancer Foundation , Kids Cancer Centre , Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick , Australia.|b Discipline of Paediatrics , School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales , Kensington , Australia.
Sarah J
SJ
Ellis
a Behavioural Sciences Unit proudly supported by the Kids with Cancer Foundation , Kids Cancer Centre , Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick , Australia.|c Kids Cancer Centre , Sydney Children's Hospital , Randwick , Australia.
Claire E
CE
Wakefield
a Behavioural Sciences Unit proudly supported by the Kids with Cancer Foundation , Kids Cancer Centre , Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick , Australia.|b Discipline of Paediatrics , School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales , Kensington , Australia.
Jordana K
JK
McLoone
a Behavioural Sciences Unit proudly supported by the Kids with Cancer Foundation , Kids Cancer Centre , Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick , Australia.|b Discipline of Paediatrics , School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales , Kensington , Australia.
Eden G
EG
Robertson
a Behavioural Sciences Unit proudly supported by the Kids with Cancer Foundation , Kids Cancer Centre , Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick , Australia.|b Discipline of Paediatrics , School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales , Kensington , Australia.|c Kids Cancer Centre , Sydney Children's Hospital , Randwick , Australia.
Richard J
RJ
Cohn
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
adolescent; cancer; coping; fertility; parents; pediatric