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Fertility Communication to Cancer Patients: A Hematologist–Oncologist’s Perspective

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Oncofertility Communication

Abstract

As the population of cancer survivors continues to grow, it is becoming increasing imperative for hematologists and oncologists to identify and address important quality of life issues that negatively affect the well being of their patients. With the release of the American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines on fertility preservation for cancer patients in 2006, the role of the oncologists in discussing potential infertility due to cancer treatments and fertility preservation options has been clearly defined. Despite these guidelines, to date, rates of discussion and referrals to reproductive endocrinologists have been suboptimal. Several studies have identified significant barriers to this important communication process. This chapter addresses the essential measures to relay to patients, potential barriers, and recommendations to overcome these barriers.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Oncofertility Consortium NIH 5UL1DE019587 and TL1CA133837.

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Correspondence to Sara Barnato Giordano M.D. .

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© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Giordano, S.B. (2014). Fertility Communication to Cancer Patients: A Hematologist–Oncologist’s Perspective. In: Woodruff, T., Clayman, M., Waimey, K. (eds) Oncofertility Communication. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8235-2_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8235-2_10

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

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