Fertility Intention, Reproductive Concerns, and Associated Family Factors among Young Breast Cancer Patients in Northern China

Introduction: Fertility-related decisions among young women with breast cancer may be influenced by reproductive concerns, access to counseling, family circumstances, and cultural values. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined fertility intention and reproductive concerns among women aged 18-40 years with breast cancer at Shanxi Bethune Hospital, northern China, from January 2021 to April 2022. Data were collected using a self-designed questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Reproductive Concerns After Cancer (RCAC) scale. Propensity score matching and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with fertility intention. Results: Among 178 participants, 91 (51.1%) reported fertility intention, 113 (63.5%) had at least one son, and only 56 (31.5%) had received fertility-related consultation. The mean RCAC score was 49.57 ± 7.92. After propensity score matching, having at least one son was associated with a lower likelihood of fertility intention, whereas receiving fertility-related consultation was associated with a higher likelihood of fertility intention. Conclusion: Family composition and access to professional consultation are associated with fertility intention among young breast cancer patients in northern China. Fertility counseling should therefore be incorporated into routine care and tailored to patients’ reproductive goals, family circumstances, and cultural backgrounds.