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A comparison of heterosexual and LGBTQ cancer survivors’ outlooks on relationships, family building, possible infertility, and patient-doctor fertility risk communication

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Journal of Cancer Survivorship Aims and scope Submit manuscript

An Erratum to this article was published on 09 March 2016

Abstract

Purpose

Little research about cancer-related infertility has examined the experiences and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) cancer survivors. This research seeks to understand how LGBTQ survivors are similar to or different from heterosexual survivors with respect to cancer treatments’ effects on relationships, plans for parenthood, and fertility preservation decision making.

Methods

Semi-structured telephone interviews conducted with adolescent or young adult (AYA) cancer survivors (n = 56) were coded for themes. Interviews consisted of questions about pre- and post-diagnosis thoughts about relationships, parenthood, possible infertility, and how information about fertility risks was received.

Results

While LGBTQ (n = 22) and heterosexual (n = 34) survivors reported similar challenges when dating post-diagnosis, heterosexual survivors were more likely to report fertility concerns as affecting romantic relationships (p < .05). LGBTQ survivors seemed more open to raising non-biological children or not becoming a parent than heterosexual survivors. LGBTQ survivors generally reported being satisfied with or indifferent to the information that they were given regarding fertility loss, despite reporting receiving similar amounts of information as compared to heterosexual patients (p < .10).

Conclusions

LGBTQ patients’ views on relationships, parenthood, and family building seemed to result in less distress when faced with infertility. However, interventions facilitating information exchange about dating, fertility risks, and family building options may be valuable to LGBTQ and heterosexual cancer survivors.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

LGBTQ cancer survivors may display more adaptive coping with respect to relationships and fertility loss. Oncology professionals may want to proactively introduce positive coping strategies to reduce distress among AYA cancer survivors at risk for infertility.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Oncofertility Consortium and Stupid Cancer for help in recruitment in addition to thanking the cancer survivors who spoke with us.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of General Internal Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Andrea M. Russell

  2. Department of Communication Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Kathleen M. Galvin

  3. Biomedical and Health Information Sciences, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Maya M. Harper

  4. American Institutes for Research, Chicago, IL, USA

    Marla L. Clayman

Authors
  1. Andrea M. Russell
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  2. Kathleen M. Galvin
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  3. Maya M. Harper
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  4. Marla L. Clayman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marla L. Clayman.

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Funding

This study was funded through a grant to Dr. Clayman from The Sexualities Project at Northwestern University.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11764-016-0534-7.

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M. Russell, A., Galvin, K.M., Harper, M.M. et al. A comparison of heterosexual and LGBTQ cancer survivors’ outlooks on relationships, family building, possible infertility, and patient-doctor fertility risk communication. J Cancer Surviv 10, 935–942 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-016-0524-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-016-0524-9

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