TY - JOUR
T1 - Fertility-Related Perceptions and Impact on Romantic Relationships among Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer
AU - Lehmann, Vicky
AU - Nahata, Leena
AU - Ferrante, Amanda C.
AU - Hansen-Moore, Jennifer A.
AU - Yeager, Nicholas D.
AU - Klosky, James L.
AU - Gerhardt, Cynthia A.
N1 - Funding Information: This study was funded by an intramural grant from the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus Ohio (V.L.) and a grant from the National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS; U1TR001070). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NCATS or National Institutes of Health. Funding Information: This study was funded by an intramural grant from the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus Ohio (V.L.) and a grant from the National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS; U1TR001070). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NCATS or National Institutes of Health. Publisher Copyright: © 2018 Copyright 2018, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Copyright: Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2018/8
Y1 - 2018/8
N2 - Purpose: To present an overview of fertility-related perceptions and describe the perceived negative/positive impact of (potential) infertility on romantic relationships among childhood cancer survivors. Methods: Male and female long-term childhood cancer survivors (N = 92) aged 22-43 and 7-37 years postdiagnosis, completed an online survey about fertility-related perceptions (i.e., knowledge, beliefs, uncertainty, concern, and attitudes toward testing) and romantic relationships. Potential differences based on sociodemographic/cancer-specific factors were tested. Results: Most survivors (82.4%, n = 75) knew about infertility risk due to childhood cancer treatment. Seventy percent (n = 65) reported being told they were personally at risk, but less than one-third believed it (29.2%, n = 19/65). Half of survivors (48.9%, n = 45) never underwent fertility testing and were unaware of their fertility status. Fertility-related uncertainty and concerns were more common among survivors without children and those who desired (additional) children (d's > 0.5). Among survivors without biological children (n = 52), partnered survivors felt more uncertain about their fertility than singles (d = 0.8). Ten survivors (10.9%) reported a negative impact of infertility on romantic relationships, 6 (6.5%) reported a positive impact, and 7 (7.6%) reported both (e.g., pressure on relationship, fights, break-ups, being closer, and open partner communication). Conclusions: Fertility-related perceptions varied among survivors, but the majority never underwent fertility testing. Uncertainty or concerns differed by current circumstances (e.g., wanting children and relationship status). Providers should routinely discuss potential infertility and offer testing throughout survivorship. A negative impact on romantic relationships may seem small, but should be considered for survivors who desire children and may discover they are infertile in the future.
AB - Purpose: To present an overview of fertility-related perceptions and describe the perceived negative/positive impact of (potential) infertility on romantic relationships among childhood cancer survivors. Methods: Male and female long-term childhood cancer survivors (N = 92) aged 22-43 and 7-37 years postdiagnosis, completed an online survey about fertility-related perceptions (i.e., knowledge, beliefs, uncertainty, concern, and attitudes toward testing) and romantic relationships. Potential differences based on sociodemographic/cancer-specific factors were tested. Results: Most survivors (82.4%, n = 75) knew about infertility risk due to childhood cancer treatment. Seventy percent (n = 65) reported being told they were personally at risk, but less than one-third believed it (29.2%, n = 19/65). Half of survivors (48.9%, n = 45) never underwent fertility testing and were unaware of their fertility status. Fertility-related uncertainty and concerns were more common among survivors without children and those who desired (additional) children (d's > 0.5). Among survivors without biological children (n = 52), partnered survivors felt more uncertain about their fertility than singles (d = 0.8). Ten survivors (10.9%) reported a negative impact of infertility on romantic relationships, 6 (6.5%) reported a positive impact, and 7 (7.6%) reported both (e.g., pressure on relationship, fights, break-ups, being closer, and open partner communication). Conclusions: Fertility-related perceptions varied among survivors, but the majority never underwent fertility testing. Uncertainty or concerns differed by current circumstances (e.g., wanting children and relationship status). Providers should routinely discuss potential infertility and offer testing throughout survivorship. A negative impact on romantic relationships may seem small, but should be considered for survivors who desire children and may discover they are infertile in the future.
KW - Oncofertility
KW - adult childhood cancer survivors
KW - fertility testing
KW - romantic relationships
KW - survivorship care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85051341798&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1089/jayao.2017.0121
DO - https://doi.org/10.1089/jayao.2017.0121
M3 - Article
C2 - 29466084
SN - 2156-5333
VL - 7
SP - 409
EP - 414
JO - Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology
JF - Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology
IS - 4
ER -