Open AccessFertility preservation in adolescent and young adult cancer patients: From a part of a national survey on oncofertility in Japan
Author(s) -
Furui Tatsuro,
Takai Yasushi,
Kimura Fuminori,
Kitajima Michio,
Nakatsuka Mikiya,
Morishige Kenichiro,
Higuchi Akiko,
Shimizu Chikako,
Ozawa Miwa,
Ohara Akira,
Tatara Ryohei,
Nakamura Terukazu,
Horibe Keizo,
Suzuki Nao
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
reproductive medicine and biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 1447-0578
pISSN - 1445-5781
DOI - 10.1002/rmb2.12256
Subject(s) - oncofertility , fertility preservation , medicine , infertility , fertility , young adult , reproductive medicine , gynecology , cancer , radiation therapy , family medicine , obstetrics , pregnancy , gerontology , population , environmental health , biology , genetics
Purpose This study evaluated the current status of reproductive disorders and provision of information on oncofertility to female adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients in Japan. Methods A national survey of AYA cancer survivors was conducted. Children were <15 years old, and AYAs were 15‐39 years old. Results from the survivors of other than gynecological disease who underwent chemotherapy were analyzed. Results Among the survivors, 41.4% were concerned about their reproductive function and infertility, and 36.2% were aware of menstrual cycle abnormalities. Among them, 15.5% (n = 20) of all and 21.2% (n = 17) of the AYA‐onset survivors suffered infertility due to chemo‐ or radiotherapy and gave up childbearing. These rates were significantly higher than those of healthy AYAs. Although 80.8% of AYA‐onset survivors answered that they had received information on reproductive function and infertility, only 55.8% had received information on fertility preservation methods. Furthermore, only 22.4% of all and 42.3% of AYA‐onset survivors had received pretreatment information on fertility preservation methods. Conclusions Not a few AYA cancer survivors reported reproductive dysfunction. These findings indicate that information provided on therapy‐related problems before cancer treatment in Japan was insufficient and highlight the need to improve patient decision‐making and support systems for fertility preservation.