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  1. Home
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  3. » 2012

Blog Archive: October 2012

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Talking with Young Patients & Families About Fertility Amidst a Cancer Diagnosis

October 31, 2012
adk121

Talking with teenagers about fertility can be awkward and uncomfortable. Talking with teenagers and their families about a cancer diagnosis is devastating. How do we do both at the same time and ensure that the importance of fertility preservation is understood in light of the traumatic timing? Studies among adult cancer survivors show that fertility is their most prevalent concern, thus we need to develop a method for relaying this information to young cancer patients and their families in a timely and sensitive manner. In the article, “The Birds and the Bees and the Bank: Talking with Families Amidst a Cancer Diagnosis,” by Gwendolyn P. Quinn, Caprice A. Knapp, and Devin Murphy, in Oncofertility Medical Practice: Clinical Issues and Implementation, the authors propose using a new method for initiating these discussions.

Patients and their families often look to health care providers to guide them in their decision-making process. Receiving a cancer diagnosis is very traumatic and can leave both the patient and their parents in a highly emotional state. They may not remember all that they were told in that initial discussion, but unfortunately decisions need to be made in that moment that will have an impact on their life many years later. Depending on the cancer diagnosis and the treatment protocol, loss of fertility may be a consequence., and needs to be addressed.

Studies show that communicating with patients using interactive tools, increases a patients understanding of the information being presented. Additionally, understanding is further increased, specifically when individual decision-making is involved, using a values clarification exercise or tool. According to the authors, “A values clarification tool (VCT) is often used in environments in which a common shared vision or purpose is required, the goal of which may be to develop the common vision, define roles, or develop long-range plans.” A VCT serves as a primer for future decision-making because it does not asks participants to ponder hypothetical situations, but instead aids them in defining the values and beliefs that influence their behavior. The authors maintain, “The open-ended statements of the VCT encourage patient/parent and administrator to begin a dialogue so that the patient/parent may process the idea of having children first, and then consider their feelings about possibly not being able to have children in their future.”

Allowing young patients to take an active role in making decisions about their fertility by evaluating their own beliefs and behaviors, and processing the idea of potential infertility, can actually serve to empower their decision-making process. Studies show that adolescent and teenage cancer survivors have clear expectations about parenthood and having biological children, yet are not always able to fully express these desires. The VCT can be a helpful tool in initiating these types of discussions. Read, “The Birds and the Bees and the Bank: Talking with Families Amidst a Cancer Diagnosis.” Learn more about your fertility options by visiting our Virtual Patient Navigator.

Categories: 

  • Cancer, Fertility Preservation, Oncofertility

Tags: 

  • cancer, Fertility Preservation, Gwendolyn Quinn, Oncofertility, Oncofertility Medical Practice: Clinical Issues and Implementation, publication, Research

Participate in Tomorrow’s Virtual Grand Rounds with Helen Picton, BSc, PhD, FSB

October 24, 2012
adk121

ASRM: Egg Freezing No Longer "Experimental" Technique

October 19, 2012
adk121

Clinical Cases in Oncofertility

October 18, 2012
adk121

Fighting over frozen embryos: How to prevent disputes over cryopreserved reproductive materials

October 17, 2012
ltce

Building a Successful Fertility Preservation Program

October 12, 2012
adk121

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 11, 2012
adk121

Tomorrow: Receive Free CME Credits for Zsolt Peter Nagy, PhD– Vitrification: State Of The ART For Oocyte And Embryo Cryopreservation

October 10, 2012
pkt551

APHON Releases Fertility Preservation Position Statement

October 5, 2012
adk121

36th Annual APHON Conference: October 4th-6th

October 4, 2012
adk121

Guest Blog: Building and Evaluating an Interdisciplinary Team in Oncofertility

October 1, 2012
Oncofertility C...

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The contents of the Oncofertility Consortium Blog are for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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