Gilbert, E., Adams, Ann, Mehanna, Hisham M., Harrison, B. and Hartshorne, G. M.. (2011) Who should be offered sperm banking for fertility preservation? A survey of UK oncologists and haematologists. Annals of Oncology, Vol.22 (No.5). pp. 1209-1214. ISSN 0923-7534

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Abstract

Background: Fertility after cancer therapy is a significant quality-of-life concern for many patients, their partners and families. Authoritative guidance states that men whose fertility may be affected by impending therapies should be offered sperm banking. Yet some patients are not offered this opportunity and are thereby disadvantaged. We sought to understand oncologists' and haematologists' decision making concerning sperm-banking referrals. Design: We surveyed all oncologists and haematologists on the Royal College of Radiotherapists' Faculty of Oncology and British Society for Haematology circulation lists. Results: From 2357 across all specialities, 499 responses were received: 253 haematologists and 246 oncologists (21% response rate). Twenty-one percent of respondents were unaware of local policies on sperm banking and 42% considered that sperm banking should be offered to more patients. Respondents' decisions reveal either assumptions about patients' needs based on characteristics such as age, sexual orientation and severity of illness or the influence of their own moral conclusions upon their patients. The survey identified paucity of training for clinicians, information for patients and systematic recording of discussions about fertility. Conclusions: A robust care infrastructure supporting male fertility storage is needed urgently to include targeted information for cancer clinicians and patients, identified individuals responsible for coordination and documentation of discussions with patients.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Mental Health and Wellbeing Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Reproductive Health Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Journal or Publication Title:	Annals of Oncology
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
ISSN:	0923-7534
Date:	May 2011
Volume:	Vol.22
Number:	No.5
Page Range:	pp. 1209-1214
Identification Number:	10.1093/annonc/mdq579
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder:	Cancer Research UK (CR-UK), Department of Health National Coordinating Centre for Research Capacity Development , Advantage West Midlands (AWM)
Grant number:	C19675/A6228 (Cancer Research UK)
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/41797

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