Reproductive health assessment for women with cancer: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to pilot a survey instrument and to develop descriptive data about the reproductive goals of reproductive-aged women (15-44 years) with cancer. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional pilot survey study of 20 women who were diagnosed with various types of cancers at the oncology clinic of Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, from January-July 2006. RESULTS: Of the 20 patients whose cases were surveyed, the mean age was 36.6 years, and 90% of the women had breast cancer. Ten percent of patients would continue pregnancy, if they became pregnant while receiving treatment. Contraception was used by 55% of patients (n = 11), of whom 55% of the women (n = 6) were using abstinence. CONCLUSION: The result of this pilot study demonstrates the need for reproductive health counseling in women with cancer; the range of discussion must include fertility interest, contraception, and fertility preservation.

Looking Through the Lens of a Family Planner to Prioritize Reproductive Health Among Women With Cancer.

PURPOSE: Prioritization of cancer treatment initiation in women of reproductive age may underscore potential implications on reproductive health. This study describes a family planning quotient (FPQ) and reproductive life index (RepLI) tool designed to help providers to discuss effectively reproductive health with women with cancer. METHODS: We tailored the FPQ/RepLI tool for patients with cancer after development in the family planning setting and piloted it with 36 oncology patients referred to our family planning clinic. Each patient completed the FPQ/RepLI with a health educator or medical student and then met with a physician to create a reproductive life plan. A subsample evaluated the tool by rating satisfaction using a Likert scale. Summary statistics were calculated overall and by childbearing status. RESULTS: Of the 36 women, 22 did not desire additional children and received contraception. One third (n = 14) had not completed childbearing, four of whom continued with fertility preservation counseling. Women who desired childbearing were less likely to already have children ( P = .02), and more than one half were using long-term contraception. All agreed that the FPQ/RepLI helped them to talk to their provider about their reproductive goals. Only 44.4% agreed that their oncologist knew how many children they desired, and 88.9% found the tool helpful and would use it for future tracking of their reproductive goals. CONCLUSION: The FPQ/RepLI is useful for assessing the reproductive health of young women with a new cancer diagnosis, understanding desires of future childbearing, and providing effective contraception. We recommend the incorporation of this tool into practice to better understand patients' reproductive needs.