ACCORDING to new research, one-third of females with breast cancer have reported fertility concerns influencing their treatment decisions, with one-fifth discussing fertility preservation strategies with their physician.
As one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, breast cancer remains a growing healthcare concern. With surgical interventions, such as an oophorectomy, directly removing the ovaries, or chemotherapy drugs, potentially damaging them, there is a growing concern for the impact of treatment on fertility for patients with breast cancer. Elisabeth de Kermadec, Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, and colleagues set out to uncover the magnitude of this issue through a cluster-randomised controlled trial.
In the trial, 419 females (median age: 40 years; range: 22–45) across 54 American clinical states were surveyed at 3,6, and 12 months post-diagnosis to assess fertility concerns and preservation efforts. Univariable and multivariable models were additionally used to assess the sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial predictors of fertility concerns. Within the cohort population, 11% were Black, 6% Hispanic, and 75% had children. Tumour stage was I (35%), II (51%), or III (14%); 82% received chemotherapy.
Results revealed that at the time of treatment, 133 participants (32%) had fertility concerns, 47% of whom indicated this affected their treatment decision. Moreover, 60% of participants reported discussing fertility concerns with their physicians, and 20% of those utilising fertilisation preservation strategies. Kermadec emphasised the importance of these findings, stating: “As a significant proportion of women are concerned about fertility at diagnosis that may impact their treatment decisions, it is critical to ensure that these issues are adequately addressed.”
