Discussing Fertility Preservation with Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients: Implications for Quality of Life
by Gwendolyn P. Quinn, PhD & Susan T. Vadaparampil, PhD 3 CE Credits
Description:
With cancer survival rates increasing, new directions have focused on issues of survivorship, with an intense focus on quality of life. One area gaining increased attention is fertility preservation and future parenthood among cancer survivors. While cancer treatments are often life saving, more than half of all patients undergoing treatment will become infertile. Odds of infertility vary by cancer site, treatment agent, age, and disease stage. Although medical options for fertility preservation exist, most are not well understood by healthcare professionals or patients. This course discusses the current state of the difficulties in communicating information about fertility preservation with newly diagnosed cancer patients of childbearing age and an overview of fertility preservation options, psychosocial needs, barriers and ethical implications, including posthumous parenting.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, health professionals will be able to:
- Describe the established methods of fertility preservation for males and females.
- Specify three barriers that inhibit healthcare provider’s discussion of fertility preservation with newly diagnosed cancer patients.
- Assess two differences that should be considered in fertility preservation discussions occurring with adolescent patients compared to adults.
- Identify at least two psychosocial needs of newly diagnosed patients of childbearing age who may consider fertility preservation.
- Identify three ethical issues inherent to discussions of fertility preservation.
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