Fertility cryopreservation for female cancer patients: attitudes and clinical practices of oncologists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study and report on the attitudes and clinical practices of oncologists regarding fertility cryopreservation for female cancer patients. STUDY DESIGN: Data was collected using a self administered questionnaire distributed to oncologists in different institutions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the period May through August 2010. The questionnaire covered their attitudes and clinical practices regarding fertility cryopreservation for female cancer patients. RESULTS: Almost half of the respondents (45.6%) were not familiar with any female fertility preservation options. Although most of the respondents had a positive attitude toward the topic, their referral practice was very poor. About three-quarters (76%) perceived that fertility preservation was very important, and 90% thought that patients would benefit from referral to an infertility specialist for counseling, yet 80% believed that cryopreservation was a complicated process. Almost half of respondents (55.3%) mentioned that they always discuss future fertility with their patients. The most prominent reasons for not discussing this issue were the emergent need to start therapy (50.5%) and the concern about the well-being of future children (34.5%). The majority (86.4%) did not refer their cancer patients to an infertility specialist. CONCLUSION: Oncologists' knowledge about female cryopreservation was lacking, and their attitudes and clinical practice on the topic needed enhancement.