Fertility preservation in cancer patients of childbearing age: a care approach
Abstract
Objective: To identify the fertility preservation care approach offered by professionals in the Catalan public health system (Spain) to cancer patients of childbearing age undergoing cancer treatment.
Methods: Multicentre cross-sectional descriptive study, Catalonia (Spain) in 2023. Participants were health professionals caring for cancer patients of childbearing age after diagnosis: physicians, residents and nurses. Estimated sample of 287 professionals (CI: 95% and p=q=0.5), accidental sampling. Ad hoc online questionnaire with 42 questions.
Results: One hundred nine professionals participated, 74% (81) nurses, 24.8% (27) physicians and one resident. Fertility preservation was considered by 97.2% (106) of the professionals as an important issue to be addressed from the beginning of the diagnosis. Seventy-eight percent (85) of the professionals reported that they had not received specific training in fertility preservation. 19.4% (21) of the participants indicated that their centre had a fertility preservation counselling unit, but only 9.2% (10) of them indicated that their centre had an assisted reproduction unit. Referral was made by the physician in 49.1% (53) of the cases.
Conclusions: There is an approach to fertility preservation that is not based on institutional guidelines or protocols. Professionals perceive a need for training in fertility preservation.
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