Cláudia Melo1,2, Mariana Moura-Ramos1,2, Maria Cristina Canavarro1,2, Teresa Almeida-Santos3,4. 1. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. 2. Unit of Psychological Intervention, Maternity Dr. Daniel de Matos, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Coimbra, Portugal. 3. Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. 4. Portuguese Centre for Fertility Preservation, Reproductive Medicine Department, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Coimbra, Portugal.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional exploratory study aimed to examine the female cancer patients' personal and health care-related variables mostly associated with their decision whether to preserve or not their fertility, in order to know more about the influence of attitudinal and health care-related variables on this decision where fertility preservation (FP) is fully covered by the National Health System. METHODS: Childbearing attitudes, health care-related information, FP motivations and childbearing motivations were assessed, in a clinical setting, to female cancer patients in childbearing age, who were undergoing the FP decision-making process. RESULTS: This study included 89 participants (82% response rate). Those who decided to undergo FP attributed more value to the reasons for FP and less value to the reasons against FP than those who decided not to undergo FP. Not having children, strongly valuing pregnancy after cancer and attributing low value to the implications of the postponement of cancer treatments were significant and independently associated with deciding to preserve fertility. CONCLUSION: The decision to pursue FP is mainly influenced by three factors: the absence of children, attributing high value to trying to ensure future pregnancy and attributing low value to the possible postponement of cancer therapy in order to have time to preserve fertility.
INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional exploratory study aimed to examine the female cancerpatients' personal and health care-related variables mostly associated with their decision whether to preserve or not their fertility, in order to know more about the influence of attitudinal and health care-related variables on this decision where fertility preservation (FP) is fully covered by the National Health System. METHODS: Childbearing attitudes, health care-related information, FP motivations and childbearing motivations were assessed, in a clinical setting, to female cancerpatients in childbearing age, who were undergoing the FP decision-making process. RESULTS: This study included 89 participants (82% response rate). Those who decided to undergo FP attributed more value to the reasons for FP and less value to the reasons against FP than those who decided not to undergo FP. Not having children, strongly valuing pregnancy after cancer and attributing low value to the implications of the postponement of cancer treatments were significant and independently associated with deciding to preserve fertility. CONCLUSION: The decision to pursue FP is mainly influenced by three factors: the absence of children, attributing high value to trying to ensure future pregnancy and attributing low value to the possible postponement of cancer therapy in order to have time to preserve fertility.