Views of Reproductive-Aged Female Cancer Patients on Oncofertility Care

Location

Virtual

Presentation Date

26-10-2020 10:00 AM

End Date

30-10-2020 3:00 PM

Description

Gynecological cancer’s survival rate has improved in recent years, thanks to advancements in treatment options. This has given patients the opportunity to prioritize many quality of life issues. Naturally, one such issue among reproductive-aged females is preservation of fertility following management of their cancer diagnosis. Since many cancer treatment options have the potential to negatively impact future fertility, including loss of fertility, it is important for patients to be informed on the matter and have appropriate discussions with their physician. Unfortunately, studies show that almost 50% of women with cancer are unaware about how their cancer therapy can impact their fertility in the future. There is some data that takes the physician perspective on this issue into account and sheds lights on reasons fertility preservation is not discussed at length with patients. These reasons include perceived lack of patient interest, lack of time, inadequate knowledge on the topic, perceived patient financial hardships, and perceived poor rate of success. However, there is currently minimal data discussing the patient’s perspective on this issue and what they deem important when it comes to preserving fertility in light of a cancer diagnosis. In order to improve patient counseling after the diagnosis of cancer, we propose pursing a survey assessment of local reproductive-aged female cancer patients to evaluate their views on preserving fertility and management of their cancer diagnosis. We aim to survey 200 patients and have surveyed 23 so far.

The objectives of this study are to survey local reproductive-aged female cancer patients to garner perspectives on fertility preservation and management of their cancer diagnosis. We will assess the current situation of fertility counseling amongst our surveyed patients. We will also compare patient perspectives from our study to physicians’ perceptions of patients from former studies.

We perform surveys using the Redcap online software. The patient’s attending physician will first discuss the survey with the patient during an in-patient or telemedicine visit. If the patient accepts joining the study, a resident physician or medical student will administer the survey in person using a laptop computer. The patient will have access to the consent form and can opt out of the study at any point.

From this study, physicians can gain greater insight into the patient perspective on fertility while undergoing cancer treatment. This can help improve the way physicians counsel patients on these matters and help them find an appropriate plan through access to fertility preservation resources. Patients will be able to attain a greater quality of life after cancer treatment due to these improvements.

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Mentor: Dr. Amelia Jernigan (LSUHSC, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology)

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Oct 26th, 10:00 AM Oct 30th, 3:00 PM

Views of Reproductive-Aged Female Cancer Patients on Oncofertility Care

Virtual

Gynecological cancer’s survival rate has improved in recent years, thanks to advancements in treatment options. This has given patients the opportunity to prioritize many quality of life issues. Naturally, one such issue among reproductive-aged females is preservation of fertility following management of their cancer diagnosis. Since many cancer treatment options have the potential to negatively impact future fertility, including loss of fertility, it is important for patients to be informed on the matter and have appropriate discussions with their physician. Unfortunately, studies show that almost 50% of women with cancer are unaware about how their cancer therapy can impact their fertility in the future. There is some data that takes the physician perspective on this issue into account and sheds lights on reasons fertility preservation is not discussed at length with patients. These reasons include perceived lack of patient interest, lack of time, inadequate knowledge on the topic, perceived patient financial hardships, and perceived poor rate of success. However, there is currently minimal data discussing the patient’s perspective on this issue and what they deem important when it comes to preserving fertility in light of a cancer diagnosis. In order to improve patient counseling after the diagnosis of cancer, we propose pursing a survey assessment of local reproductive-aged female cancer patients to evaluate their views on preserving fertility and management of their cancer diagnosis. We aim to survey 200 patients and have surveyed 23 so far.

The objectives of this study are to survey local reproductive-aged female cancer patients to garner perspectives on fertility preservation and management of their cancer diagnosis. We will assess the current situation of fertility counseling amongst our surveyed patients. We will also compare patient perspectives from our study to physicians’ perceptions of patients from former studies.

We perform surveys using the Redcap online software. The patient’s attending physician will first discuss the survey with the patient during an in-patient or telemedicine visit. If the patient accepts joining the study, a resident physician or medical student will administer the survey in person using a laptop computer. The patient will have access to the consent form and can opt out of the study at any point.

From this study, physicians can gain greater insight into the patient perspective on fertility while undergoing cancer treatment. This can help improve the way physicians counsel patients on these matters and help them find an appropriate plan through access to fertility preservation resources. Patients will be able to attain a greater quality of life after cancer treatment due to these improvements.