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Preservation of Childbearing Potential in Cancer Survivors: a Survey of Gynecologists’ and Embryologists’ Current Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice

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Abstract

Cancer is one of the life-threatening diseases, and cancer therapy may produce severe side effects such as impaired fertility. Saving childbearing potential after cancer treatment is of high importance to cancer survivors. This study assessed gynecologists’ and embryologists’ current practice, knowledge, and attitude concerning fertility preservation (FP) in cancer survivors. This current survey was performed on a convenience sample of 277 gynecologists and embryologists who attended large international congresses held across Iran. A 23-item self-administered questionnaire that included questions on knowledge, attitudes, and practice was used. Questions had either yes/no responses, or were answered based on a 4-point (1 to 4) Likert scored scale. Total mean score for knowledge of all FP options was 2.97 ± 0.62. Total mean scores for knowledge of all FP options in gynecologists and embryologists were 3.03 ± 0.65 and 2.95 ± 0.61, respectively (p = 0.33). These scores were above the median value of 2.5 obtained using the 4-point Likert scale. Participants regarded the patient age as the most important reason for discussing FP with patients (mean scores 3.74 ± 0.71 and 3.73 ± 0.52 for gynecologists and embryologists, respectively; p = 0.93). The majority of the participants (i.e., 95.2% (79 gynecologists) and 92.2% (166 embryologists)) referred cancer patients to centers providing FP services (p = 0.15). This sample of Iranian gynecologists and embryologists had considerable information on FP methods to develop appropriate attitudes and practices in relation to FP for cancer patients in order to prevent loss of fertility.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. R. Safaei (head of an oncology and hematology ward in Imam Hospital) for her assistance with all aspects of study design and implementation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Reproductive Health, Reproductive Epidemiology Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran

    Reza Omani-Samani & Samira Vesali

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  1. Reza Omani-Samani
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  2. Samira Vesali
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Correspondence to Samira Vesali.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Royan Institute (IR.ACER.ROYAN.REC.1395.99). The aims of the study were clearly explained to all participants prior to the investigation, and confidentiality and anonymity were assured. Also, all participant voluntarily completed the questionnaire.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Omani-Samani, R., Vesali, S. Preservation of Childbearing Potential in Cancer Survivors: a Survey of Gynecologists’ and Embryologists’ Current Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice. J Canc Educ 35, 327–333 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-018-1468-8

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