UCSF

Purpose

Data have demonstrated an association between regret and lack of fertility counseling among patients undergoing treatment for non-gynecologic cancers. We sought to determine if fertility-related regret is reduced with pre-treatment counseling or fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) in patients with gynecologic cancers.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was administered to 593 reproductive-age survivors (18-40 years old at diagnosis) of localized cervix, ovarian, or endometrial cancers that were eligible for FSS. A validated decision regret score was used to evaluate regret in patients.

Results

Four hundred seventy women completed the survey. Forty-six percent received pre-treatment counseling about treatment's effects on fertility. Having received counseling (adjusted ß-coefficient of -1.24, 95 % CI = -2.29 to -0.18, p = 0.02), satisfactory counseling (adjusted ß-coefficient of -2.71, 95 % CI = -3.86 to -1.57, p < 0.001), and FSS (adjusted ß-coefficient of -1.26, 95 % CI = -2.39 to -0.14, p = 0.03) were associated with lower regret post-treatment, after adjusting for age. Time since diagnosis, prior parity, socioeconomic status and cancer type were not associated with regret (p > 0.05). While 50 % of women reported desiring more children after diagnosis, desire for children after treatment was associated with increased regret (adjusted ß-coefficient of 3.97, 95 % CI = 2.92-5.02, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Though less than half of study participants received counseling about the effect of cancer treatment on future fertility, both fertility counseling and FSS were associated with decreased regret in reproductive-aged women with gynecologic cancers. The desire for more children after treatment was associated with increased regret.

Implications for cancer survivors

Inquiring about fertility desires and providing counseling regarding reproductive outcomes following cancer treatment should be implemented as part of the treatment process.