Knowledge, attitude, and intentions towards fertility preservation in cancer patients among healthcare workers in Northern India.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Malhotra, Neena Gupta, Monica Yadav, Anshu Vanamail, Perumail Mahey, Reeta
Abstract	ObjectiveTo study the knowledge, attitude, and intentions towards fertility preservation (FP) in cancer patients among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Northern India.MethodsThe survey discussed in this study was a 23-item structured questionnaire on oncofertility designed based on previous studies on the topic. A link to the questionnaire was sent through WhatsApp to healthcare workers involved in the care of cancer patients. Their responses were analyzed subsequently.ResultsMore than a third (37.7%) of the 750 HCWs contacted answered the questionnaire. The group included gynecologists, surgeons, and oncologists. Although 90% of the respondents were aware of the harmful effects of cancer therapy on ovarian function, 76% claimed they had only partial knowledge about fertility preservation (FP). Only a fourth of the respondents were aware of the time needed for oocyte cryopreservation and a third had knowledge of the number of semen samples required for FP. Among HCWs involved in the care of young cancer patients, only 50% reported that they had referred patients for FP. The most common reason for not referring patients for FP was lack of knowledge about FP (43%). More than 90% claimed they wanted to improve their knowledge about oncofertility through continued medical education programs and seminars.ConclusionsThe study emphasizes the need for establishing well-structured networks to improve knowledge about FP among HCWs, so that cancer patients are offered the chance of using their gametes to have children after they have been cured from cancer.
Related Links	https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC9118969&blobtype=pdf
ISSN	15175693
Journal	JBRA Assisted Reproduction [JBRA Assist Reprod]
Volume Number	26
DOI	10.5935/1518-0557.20210087
PubMed Central reference number	PMC9118969
Issue Number	2
PubMed reference number	34713685
e-ISSN	15180557
Language	English
Publisher	Brazilian Society of Assisted Reproduction
Publisher Date	2022-04-17
Access Restriction	Open
Rights License	This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Subject Keyword	cancer fertility preservation gonadotoxic oncofertility healthcare workers
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Obstetrics and Gynecology