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dc.contributor.authorLee, Rebecca J
dc.contributor.authorWakefield, Ann
dc.contributor.authorFoy, Sharon
dc.contributor.authorHowell, Sacha J
dc.contributor.authorWardley, Andrew M
dc.contributor.authorArmstrong, Anne C
dc.date.accessioned2010-10-12T14:33:46Z
dc.date.available2010-10-12T14:33:46Z
dc.date.issued2010-09-02
dc.identifier.citationFacilitating reproductive choices: the impact of health services on the experiences of young women with breast cancer. 2010: Psychooncologyen
dc.identifier.issn1099-1611
dc.identifier.pmid20818600
dc.identifier.doi10.1002/pon.1826
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10541/112840
dc.description.abstractObjective: Chemotherapy and hormone treatments carry significant implications on the fertility of young women with breast cancer. Increasingly, nulliparous women experience fertility dilemmas due to rising survival rates and pregnancy delay. This qualitative study investigated women's responses to being told that treatments affected their fertility and how their interactions with health services impacted on their experiences.Methods: Twenty-four women under 40 years participated in three focus groups using a flexible interview structure. Data were analysed using content analysis and participants subsequently member checked the themes generated.Results: The priority for most women was survival, although women without children were more willing to take risks. Many women felt that pregnancy after breast cancer and methods of egg harvesting carried a significant risk to survival and fears appeared to be increased by conflicting advice from health professionals. Overall, the women felt the cancer, its treatment options and the health service itself had each robbed them of choice. Hence, with hindsight, many said they would have welcomed an open and honest discussion with a fertility expert to maximise their options.Conclusions: Young women with breast cancer face complex decisions regarding their fertility and treatment options. Survival remains the priority for the majority of women. Although there is a paucity of evidence concerning many fertility issues, it is essential that available options and any potential risks are discussed in a coherent, objective fashion. Early referral to specialist fertility services that provide clear, cohesive advice can aid informed decision making. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
dc.languageENG
dc.language.isoenen
dc.subjectBreast Canceren
dc.subjectOncologyen
dc.subjectFertilityen
dc.subject.meshBreast Neoplasms
dc.subject.meshFertility
dc.subject.meshHealth Services
dc.subject.meshReproductive Behavior
dc.titleFacilitating reproductive choices: the impact of health services on the experiences of young women with breast cancer.en
dc.typeArticleen
dc.contributor.departmentDepartment of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.en
dc.identifier.journalPsycho-Oncologyen
html.description.abstractObjective: Chemotherapy and hormone treatments carry significant implications on the fertility of young women with breast cancer. Increasingly, nulliparous women experience fertility dilemmas due to rising survival rates and pregnancy delay. This qualitative study investigated women's responses to being told that treatments affected their fertility and how their interactions with health services impacted on their experiences.Methods: Twenty-four women under 40 years participated in three focus groups using a flexible interview structure. Data were analysed using content analysis and participants subsequently member checked the themes generated.Results: The priority for most women was survival, although women without children were more willing to take risks. Many women felt that pregnancy after breast cancer and methods of egg harvesting carried a significant risk to survival and fears appeared to be increased by conflicting advice from health professionals. Overall, the women felt the cancer, its treatment options and the health service itself had each robbed them of choice. Hence, with hindsight, many said they would have welcomed an open and honest discussion with a fertility expert to maximise their options.Conclusions: Young women with breast cancer face complex decisions regarding their fertility and treatment options. Survival remains the priority for the majority of women. Although there is a paucity of evidence concerning many fertility issues, it is essential that available options and any potential risks are discussed in a coherent, objective fashion. Early referral to specialist fertility services that provide clear, cohesive advice can aid informed decision making. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


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