ObjectiveThe objective of this pilot study was to identify the number of patients of reproductive age with gynecological and hematological cancer who received fertility preservation consultation and to analyze their requirements and needs to improve the consultation. MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional survey used a pseudonymized questionnaire to record demographics, cancer diagnosis and therapy, fertility preservation consultation and fertility preservation actions as well as patients requirements for an optimized fertility preservation consultation.Female patients aged between 18 and 45 with gynecological, hematological and breast cancer with fertility sparing therapy were recruited at Charit hospital.Chi-square tests were used to compare frequencies.Multiple logistic regression was performed to analyze influencing variables. Key Messages What is already knownCancer treatment often affects fertility in women of reproductive age.Informing patients of the impact of gonadotoxic treatment on fertility and fertility preservation options in young adults with cancer is recommended but not always performed. J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f What this study addsMost patients prefer in-person consultations with their treating gynecologist, accompanied by their partners, and supported by booklets and websites to improve information delivery and optimize fertility preservation consultation. How this study might affect research, practice and policyThis study supports future research on standardized, patient-centered counseling models, encourages clinical practice changes toward early, repeated, and individualized counseling, and reinforces policies that ensure equitable access to fertility preservation counseling for all reproductive-age patients with cancer.
Martin et al. (Sun,) studied this question.