Knowledge, attitudes & behaviours towards fertility preservation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patients' and healthcare providers' knowledge, attitudes and behavioural interest towards fertility preservation prior to gonadotoxic treatment
IRAS ID
168172
Contact name
Jane A Stewart
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals(NUTH) NHS Foundation Trust (FT)
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Today most people survive cancer. But cancer or cancer treatment could harm their ability to conceive a child or carry a pregnancy in the future, which could result in significant stress and anxiety. Advances in assisted reproductive techniques have given cancer patients who meet set criteria the opportunity to preserve their future fertility prior to having gonadotoxic treatment. However, the number of young cancer patients undergoing fertility preservation counselling and treatment remains low. Oncology providers may be influenced by various personal or institutional factors in deciding to offer fertility preservation consultation to their patients reflecting the challenges of actual fertility preservation care. While, patients diagnosed with cancer face several factors that complicate their engagement in fertility preservation care.
While the discrepancy between practice patterns and available fertility preservation techniques is well described, a clear understanding of why fertility preservation is or is not appealing to children or teenagers diagnosed with cancer, their parents and their healthcare providers is missing.
In the current study, we aim to investigate knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards fertility preservation. We will do this through a cross-sectional survey of paediatric and teenage cancer patients, their parents and their healthcare providers. This will help us gain a greater conceptual understanding of patients' and providers' values. Moreover, results of our survey will help direct intervention designs to improve fertility preservation care and cancer survivors’ quality of life.
Data analysis will be carried out at the end of the survey. The results will be published in peer-reviewed medical journals.REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NE/0075
Date of REC Opinion
19 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion