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Oncologists' confidence in knowledge of fertility issues for young women with cancer.

ABSTRACT: We sought to identify factors associated with greater cancer-related fertility knowledge in a national survey of oncologists. We surveyed 344 oncologists from a sampling pool drawn randomly from the AMA Masterfile. We conducted multiple linear regression to determine the relationship between confidence in knowledge and oncologists' characteristics. Respondents' average age was 48.5, and 75.3% were male. The average confidence in knowledge summary score was 23.8 (SD 6.4, range 8-40). In multivariable regression, confidence was higher among oncologists with more information resources, a sense of responsibility to discuss fertility issues and among gynecologic oncologists vs. other oncology specialties. Physician age, gender, and practice setting were not associated with fertility-related knowledge. Oncologists lack confidence in their knowledge of fertility issues in young women with breast cancer. Increasing professional responsibility to discuss fertility and greater information access could improve the depth and breadth of education regarding fertility issues among oncologists and their young patients.

SUBMITTER: Duffy C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3352969 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Oncologists' confidence in knowledge of fertility issues for young women with cancer.

Duffy Christine C Allen Susan M SM Dube Catherine C Dickersin Kay K

Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education 20120601 2

We sought to identify factors associated with greater cancer-related fertility knowledge in a national survey of oncologists. We surveyed 344 oncologists from a sampling pool drawn randomly from the AMA Masterfile. We conducted multiple linear regression to determine the relationship between confidence in knowledge and oncologists' characteristics. Respondents' average age was 48.5, and 75.3% were male. The average confidence in knowledge summary score was 23.8 (SD 6.4, range 8-40). In multivari ...[more]

PMID: 22259068

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Project description:Although breast cancer (BC) occurs more often in older women, it is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in women of childbearing age. Owing to the overall advancement of modern medicine and the growing global trend of delaying childbirth until later age, we find ever more younger women diagnosed and treated for BC who have not yet completed their family. Therefore, fertility preservation has emerged as a very important quality of life issue for young BC survivors. This paper reviews currently available options for fertility preservation in young women with early-stage BC and highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to fertility preservation as a very important quality of life issue for young BC survivors. Pregnancy after BC treatment is considered not to be associated with an increased risk of BC recurrence; therefore, it should not be discouraged for those women who want to achieve pregnancy after oncologic treatment. Currently, it is recommended to delay pregnancy for at least 2 years after BC diagnosis, when the risk of recurrence is highest. However, BC patients of reproductive age should be informed about the potential negative effects of oncologic therapy on fertility, as well as on the fertility preservation options available, and if interested in fertility preservation, they should be promptly referred to a reproductive specialist. Early referral to a reproductive specialist is an important factor that increases the likelihood of successful fertility preservation. Embryo and mature oocyte cryopreservation are currently the only established fertility preservation methods but they require ovarian stimulation (OS), which delays initiation of chemotherapy for at least 2 weeks. Controlled OS does not seem to increase the risk of BC recurrence. Other fertility preservation methods (ovarian tissue cryopreservation, cryopreservation of immature oocytes and ovarian suppression with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists) do not require OS but are still considered to be experimental techniques for fertility preservation.

Project description:BackgroundFertility and pregnancy issues are of key importance for young breast cancer patients. Despite several advances in the field, there are still multiple unmet needs and barriers in discussing and dealing with these concerns. To address the significant challenges related to fertility and pregnancy issues, the PREgnancy and FERtility (PREFER) study was developed as a national comprehensive program aiming to optimize care and improve knowledge around these topics.MethodsThe PREFER study is a prospective cohort study conducted across several Italian institution affiliated with the Gruppo Italiano Mammella (GIM) group evaluating patterns of care and clinical outcomes of young breast cancer patients dealing with fertility and pregnancy issues. It is composed of two distinctive studies: PREFER-FERTILITY and PREFER-PREGNANCY. The PREFER-FERTILITY study is enrolling premenopausal patients aged 18-45 years, diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer, who are candidates to (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy and not previously exposed to anticancer therapies. The primary objective is to obtain and centralize data about patients' preferences and choices towards the available fertility preserving procedures. The success and safety of these strategies and the hormonal changes during chemotherapy and study follow-up are secondary objectives. The PREFER-PREGNANCY study is enrolling survivors achieving a pregnancy after prior history of breast cancer and patients diagnosed with pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC). The primary objectives are to obtain and centralize data about the management and clinical outcomes of these women. Patients' survival outcomes, and the fetal, obstetrical and paediatric care of their children are secondary objectives. For both studies, the initial planned recruitment period is 5 years and patients will remain in active follow-up for up to 15 years. The PREFER-FERTILITY study was first activated in November 2012, and the PREFER-PREGNANCY study in May 2013.DiscussionThe PREFER study is expected to support and improve oncofertility counseling in Italy, to explore the real need of fertility preserving procedures, and to acquire prospectively more robust data on the efficacy and safety of the available strategies for fertility preservation, on the management of breast cancer survivors achieving a pregnancy and of women with PABC (including the possible short- and long-term complications in their children).Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02895165 (Retrospectively registered in August 2016).

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Oncologists' confidence in knowledge of fertility issues for young women with cancer.

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Oncologists' confidence in knowledge of fertility issues for young women with cancer.

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