Fertility preservation aid for young males with cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The development and evaluation of the first fertility preservation patient decision aid to support young males with cancer
IRAS ID
337540
Contact name
Georgina Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Beckett University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 4 days
Research summary
The aim of this study is to develop and test a new information and support resource to help young male cancer patients decide whether to preserve their fertility before starting cancer treatment. Unfortunately, cancer treatment often leads to infertility. Fertility preservation decisions need to be made before treatment starts, and these choices will then impact boys and young men surviving cancer for the rest of their lives. So, it is vital they feel supported in making the right fertility decision for them whilst also having to deal with a new cancer diagnosis. Research shows that currently boys and young men do not feel well supported in making these decisions.
Resources are available for females, but no such resource exists for males. We will address this inequality by developing the first fertility preservation resource for boys and young men and then investigate if it helps them to feel that they have made the best choices for their future family planning and wellbeing at this stressful time.
In stage 1, we will be developing the patient decision aid (PtDA). In stage 2 we will co-develop the resource with cancer and fertility doctors/nurses and patients, and we will make it available on paper and online. In stage 2, we will test the resource with past patients and doctors/nurses, making improvements where appropriate. In stage 3, we will offer the resource to newly diagnosed young male cancer patients aged 11-25 years old at hospitals in Edinburgh, Sheffield and Leeds. We will interview approximately 24 young boys and men, their parents/carers (where desired or needed) and 10 cancer and fertility staff to explore in-depth their experiences of using the resource. Finally, in stage 4 we will produce the final version of the resource and share this widely.
Stage 1 and 4 do not require ethical approval and therefore this application relates to stages 2 and 3 only.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/WM/0141
Date of REC Opinion
3 Oct 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion