Chehin MB, Bonetti TC, Serafini PC, Motta ELA. Knowledge regarding fertility preservation in cancer patients: a population-based survey among Brazilian people during the Pink October awareness event.
JBRA Assist Reprod 2017;
21:84-88. [PMID:
28609273 PMCID:
PMC5473699 DOI:
10.5935/1518-0557.20170021]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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