Title

Fertility Preservation Preferences and Perspectives Among Adult Male Survivors of Pediatric Cancer and Their Parents

Authors

Authors

D. M. Stein; D. E. Victorson; J. T. Choy; K. E. Waimey; T. P. Pearman; K. Smith; J. Dreyfuss; K. E. Kinahan; D. Sadhwani; T. K. Woodruff;R. E. Brannigan

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Adolesc. Young Adult Oncol.

Keywords

cancer survivorship; fertility preservation; oncofertility; pediatric; oncology; sperm cryopreservation; SPERM BANKING; CHILDHOOD-CANCER; HODGKINS-DISEASE; CRYOPRESERVATION; ADOLESCENTS; ONCOFERTILITY; INFERTILITY; EXPERIENCE; PREGNANCY; QUALITY; Oncology

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, we set out to determine the preferences, concerns, and attitudes toward fertility preservation of adult male survivors of pediatric cancer and their parents. Methods: We conducted 3 focus groups with a total of 15 male survivors of pediatric cancer (age at diagnosis: mean = 14, range: 10-20; age at study: mean = 35, range: 25-47) and 2 groups with a total of 7 parents of survivors. Grounded theory methodology was used for the identification and analysis of recurrent themes expressed by survivors and their parents in the course of focus group discussions. Results: Themes most frequently expressed by survivors included concern regarding long-term treatment effects and a retrospective desire for fertility impairment to have been discussed when they were originally diagnosed with cancer. Parental themes included the same hindsight desire, as well as reliance upon the treating oncologist for direction in selecting the course of treatment, and an acknowledgment that input from a specialist in fertility preservation would have been beneficial. Conclusions: Although future reproductive potential was not consistently reported as a source of apprehension when diagnosed with cancer, both survivors and their parents noted it to be a paramount concern later in life. Parents and survivors both reported that fertility preservation discussions should be routinely incorporated in the clinical context of a pediatric cancer diagnosis.

Journal Title

Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology

Volume

3

Issue/Number

2

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

75

Last Page

82

WOS Identifier

WOS:000350130800004

ISSN

2156-5333

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