Dados do Trabalho

Título

CONCERNS AND UNCERTAINTIES RELATED TO FERTILITY IN CHILDHOOD CANCER SURVIVORS

Introdução

Introduction: The late effects commonly reported after cancer treatment can compromise the fertility of cancer survivors in childhood and adolescence and have significant consequences on health-related quality of life. Indeed, the loss of fertility can be distress as the diagnosis itself, as adolescent and young adults (AYA) cancer survivors express a desire to have children and envision a future as reproductive adults. In addition, studies linking one of the peculiarities of pediatric oncology with the field of obstetrics (reproductive health) in Brazil are still scarce.

Objetivo

Objective: To uncovers the fertility-related concerns and uncertainties in adolescent and young adult (AYA) childhood cancer survivors.

Método

Methods: A qualitative study was undertaken in an oncohematology outpatient clinic at a Brazilian hospital located in Southeast Region. Data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews, complemented by clinical data from medical records. Inductive thematic analysis was used for data synthesis.

Resultado

Results: Twenty-four AYA cancer survivors, aged 18– 24 years (13 men and 11 women). In addition, four themes were identified from the data—(I) knowledge about fertility, (II) emotional impact and fertility-related uncertainty, (III) sharing the possible risk of infertility with partners, and (IV) need for information on possible loss of fertility.

Conclusão

Conclusion: The meanings attributed to the loss of fertility after cancer treatment uncovered the need for health professionals to organize survivor services in line with the survivors' needs and include reproductive concerns and uncertainties in this planning. Furthermore, this investigation allowed us to understand that the clinical conditions of the survivor’s demand assistance that is materialized with continuous surveillance strategies throughout the lifespan.

Palavras-chave

Fertility; Childhood cancer; Adolescent and Young Adults; Cancer Survivors; Onco-hematology.

Área

Oncologia - Onco-hematologia