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Disparities in Adolescent Patient–Provider Communication Regarding Fertility Preservation Care

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Oncofertility Communication

Abstract

Cancer affects large numbers of men and women of reproductive age. The effects of cancer and cancer therapies can render patients’ reproductive potential transiently or permanently impaired. With the release of the 2006 American Society of Clinical Oncology recommendations, a heightened sense of awareness of these clinical issues has developed. While progress has been made in delivering fertility preservation care to both males and females, it is clear that much work has yet to be done in providing patients with treatments that will mitigate the potentially sterilizing effects of oncologic therapies. Moreover, disparities have been noted throughout the literature along the lines of both gender and age, with females and adolescents having less access to fertility preservation options. Our aim in this chapter is to heighten awareness of the existing disparities and encourage providers to more effectively utilize communication strategies to optimize comprehensive oncologic care for these patients.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Oncofertility Consortium NIH 5UL1DE019587.

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Correspondence to Amanda B. Fuchs B.A. .

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Fuchs, A.B., Brannigan, R.E. (2014). Disparities in Adolescent Patient–Provider Communication Regarding Fertility Preservation Care. In: Woodruff, T., Clayman, M., Waimey, K. (eds) Oncofertility Communication. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8235-2_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8235-2_9

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