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How do you address a women's concerns about preserving sexual function and fertility? When should patients be informed of these risks and options?

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Topics (Tags):

Fertility Sexual Function Side Effects Cancer

Topics:

Fertility X Sexual Function X Side Effects X Cancer X

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Diseases:

All Cancers

Diseases:

All Cancers

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Answers (2)

ShelbyTerstriepMD (Physician - Oncology - Hematology/Oncology (Verified) ) - 02 / 17 / 2012

I think the fertility conversation absolutely has to come as soon as the person is diagnosed with cancer. Ideally if there is a navigator having them bring up the topic right away so that appropriate referral to a fertility specialist is done immediately. I often use the fertilehope website for the risk calculator for chemotherapy regimens so that I know what the risk to their fertility would be. As part of our survivorship program we have engaged our fertility specialist to give training on different options for fertility preservation/treatment. With this collaboration there is an agreement that cancer patients will be seen “same day”. As far as sexual functioning, I think this is also very important to address at the beginning. . explaining potential problems ( and potential solutions) that may occur with each option. It is also critical to address throughout treatment and survivorship. I consider it part of my review of systems. Knowing support resources to refer to is critical.

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member6856 (Support Group (Verified) ) - 02 / 20 / 2012

Not exactly a "perfect" fit but hopefully of some use

http://m.yahoo.com/w/news_america/7-reasons-breast-cancer-survivors-shouldn-t-afraid-193300661.html?orig_host_hdr=news.yahoo.com&.intl=us&.lang=en-us

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Question Statistics

Latest Activity: 02 / 20 / 2012
Views: 301
Followed By: 3 members