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Disparities in fertility preservation among patients diagnosed with female breast cancer

  • Fertility Preservation
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the association of specific patient factors with disparities in fertility preservation counseling and utilization of fertility preservation among patients ≤ 40 years old diagnosed with female breast cancer.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted investigating patients diagnosed with breast cancer between January 2012 and December 2020 in a multi-site health system. Rates of fertility counseling and utilization of preservation services were compared based on age, race/ethnicity, parity, insurance type, and treatment site.

Results

Of the 6,783 patients diagnosed with female breast cancer, 306 (4.5%) were ≤ 40 years old at the time of diagnosis. There was no significant difference between Black or African American and White patients in rates of fertility counseling (12.1% vs 17.4%; p = 0.285) or pursuit of fertility preservation (3.3% vs 4.2%; p = 0.508), nor was a difference observed when compared by insurance type. However, younger patients (< 30 years of age), patients with 1 or no children, and patients treated in the more affluent county were more likely to undergo counseling and pursue fertility preservation than their matched counterparts.

Conclusion

Age, parity, and location of breast cancer care may impact rates of fertility counseling and preservation among reproductive age women diagnosed with breast cancer. Thus, further attention to age discrimination, a patient’s desire for future fertility, need for standardization in fertility preservation counseling, and perhaps implementation of comprehensive fertility coverage mandates across all states could help to improve gaps in fertility counseling and fertility preservation.

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Data Availability

Data are available with the permission of Henry Ford Health. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author [MS] upon reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA

    Monique Swain, Madison Miller & Sydney Daviskiba

  2. Biostatistics, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, USA

    Cara Cannella

Authors
  1. Monique Swain
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  2. Madison Miller
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  3. Cara Cannella
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  4. Sydney Daviskiba
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Correspondence to Monique Swain.

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This research study was conducted retrospectively from data obtained for clinical purposes. We consulted extensively with the IRB of the Henry Ford Health System who granted a waiver of ethical approval for the project.

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This research study was conducted retrospectively from de-identified data obtained for clinical purposes, therefore consent to participate was not required.

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The authors report no financial or non-financial interests that are directly or indirectly related to the work submitted for publication.

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Swain, M., Miller, M., Cannella, C. et al. Disparities in fertility preservation among patients diagnosed with female breast cancer. J Assist Reprod Genet 40, 2843–2849 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-023-02968-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-023-02968-9

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