Information needs and research priorities for fertility preservation in women with breast cancer: patients and experts' perspectives.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To identify the information needs and research priorities that women with breast cancer (BC), their families and BC experts perceive on the fertility preservation. METHODS: We conducted two Delphi-based studies through three online rounds. The first was aimed to identify information and research needs; the second one to assess the importance of those needs and the third one to obtain consensus, defined as an interquartile range ≤2. RESULTS: The participation rate was 76.2% in study 1 and 53.7% in study 2. The most important information needs were the referral protocol, pregnancy options for women with BC, side effects of tamoxifen and menopause as a consequence of treatment. The most important research priorities were the participation of different health professionals to provide oncofertility information, referral protocols and efficacy and safety of FP options. CONCLUSION: Information about fertility preservation in the context of BC and different ways to get pregnant, considering risks and benefits, has emerged as an unmet need for patients and careers. The need for a participatory and coordinated approach to the provision of information on oncofertility has been agreed. Other research needs are described in an attempt to focus future research in the most necessary areas.