The challenge of fertility preservation in cancer patients: a special focus issue from Future Oncology

The challenges of fertility preservation in cancer patients: an interview with Michael Grynberg

Michaël Grynberg is an Obstetrician Gynecologist specialized in reproductive medicine. After 1 year as a visiting fellow in the Department of Reproductive Medicine at Cornell University, he returned to work in France as an Attending Physician in the Division of Reproductive Medicine at the University Hospital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France. In 2011, he completed his PhD on the topic of the regulation of follicular growth and anti-Müllerian hormone production. Since 2014, he has been Professor of Reproductive Medicine and the Head of the Department of Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Preservation at the University Hospital Jean Verdier, Bondy, France. Since 2017, he has become the Head of the Department of Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Preservation at the University Hospital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France. In addition, he is an active member of the basic research unit INSERM U 1133, University Paris Diderot-CNRS UMR 8251. His research interests initially include the assessment of ovarian follicular status and the regulation of anti-Müllerian hormone, a key peptide in the ovarian function. Over the past 5 years, he has expanded his field of research with oncofertility. Indeed, female fertility preservation has recently emerged in the field of reproductive medicine. He is a pioneer on this topic in France and has recently become the President of the French Society of Oncofertility. He, along with his colleagues, has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles in international journals and books.

Knowledge regarding fertility preservation in cancer patients: a population-based survey among Brazilian people during the Pink October awareness event

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge about the risk of infertility in cancer patients after treatment, and the options for fertility preservation based on a survey carried out during the 2013 Pink October campaign.

Methods

This survey was carried out during the 2013 Pink October event in the most important public park of São Paulo, Brazil. Approximately 900 people expressed interest in learning about breast cancer prevention and fertility preservation by participating in workshops, and 242 people filled out a questionnaire.

Results

Most of the respondents (78.5%) were women, and one-fourth (25%) had at least one relative with gynecological cancer. Among women over 40 years of age, 86.3% had been screened for breast cancer at some point. However, few participants (34.0%) were aware that cancer treatment can lead to infertility or had heard about fertility preservation options (22.0%). Having a relative with cancer did not influence their knowledge about fertility preservation (22.4% versus 21.3%; p=0.864). However, a higher educational level was significantly associated with more knowledge about the effects of cancer on fertility and options for fertility preservation.

Conclusions

The majority of participants did not have knowledge about the impact of oncologic treatment on fertility and did not know that there are options to preserve fertility in cancer patients. Awareness of infertility risk factors is an essential first step to safeguard future fertility, and therefore, more educational initiatives are needed to spread knowledge about oncofertility.