“Just what the doctor ordered”: Factors associated with oncology patients’ decision to bank sperm

Authors

  • Samantha Yee Centre for Fertility and Reproductive Health, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON; and Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
  • Esme Fuller-Thomson Factor-Inwentash, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
  • Catherine Dwyer Centre for Fertility and Reproductive Health, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON
  • Ellen Greenblatt Centre for Fertility and Reproductive Health, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
  • Heather Shapiro Centre for Fertility and Reproductive Health, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.17

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was toexplore factors associated with oncology patients’ decision to banksperm prior to cancer treatment.Materials and

Methods: Patients who were referred to the oncologysperm banking program between January 2009 and March 2010 were invited to complete an 18-item questionnaire during one oftheir sperm banking visits.

Results: Of the 157 cancer patients referred to the Mount Sinai Oncology Sperm and Tissue Bank for sperm banking during the15-month period, 79 questionnaires were returned (50% response rate). Of the respondents, 89% were informed about sperm bankingby their physician. Future family planning was cited as the mainreason to bank. Cost was not a barrier for the vast majority ofrespondents. Forty percent of respondents banked sperm within 4days prior to initiating cancer treatment. Most respondents reliedon their physician for verbal information on sperm banking. Eighty-one percent were unaware of any patient organizations that have educational materials on oncology fertility preservation.

Conclusion: Sperm banking prior to cancer treatment is the only proven method of preserving fertility for cancer patients. The two main determinants associated with deciding whether to bank sperm were: the physician’s recommendation and the patient’s desirefor future fatherhood. Physicians play a key role in influencing patients’ decisions. The recommendation to bank sperm is a persuasive message if patients are clearly informed about their potential risk of infertility post-cancer treatment, and that sperm banking is an effective way of preserving fertility. Providing patients with education materials might enhance compliance in sperm banking.

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Published

2012-11-19

How to Cite

Yee, S., Fuller-Thomson, E., Dwyer, C., Greenblatt, E., & Shapiro, H. (2012). “Just what the doctor ordered”: Factors associated with oncology patients’ decision to bank sperm. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 6(5). https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.17

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 5 (2012): CUAJ October

Section

Original Research

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