Oncologists' attitudes and practices regarding banking sperm before cancer treatment

Abstract

Purpose: The goal of this study was to survey oncologists in three different practice settings to determine their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding referring patients to bank sperm before cancer treatment.

Methods: A postal survey about knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding banking sperm before cancer treatment was sent to 718 oncology staff physicians and fellows at two cancer centers and at sites in a Community Clinical Oncology Program.

Results: The return rate was 24% and did not differ by institution, oncologic specialty, or sex. Fellows were significantly more likely to participate (37%) than staff physicians (20%). Ninety-one percent of respondents agreed that sperm banking should be offered to all men at risk of infertility as a result of cancer treatment, but 48% either never bring up the topic or mention it to less than a quarter of eligible men. Neither greater knowledge about sperm banking nor seeing large numbers of eligible men yearly increased the likelihood of discussing the option. Barriers cited included lack of time for the discussion, perceived high cost, and lack of convenient facilities. Oncologists reported they would be less likely to offer sperm banking to men who were homosexual, HIV-positive, had a poor prognosis, or had aggressive tumors. Oncologists overestimated the costs of sperm banking and the number of samples needed to make cryopreservation worthwhile.

Conclusion: Sperm banking should be offered as an option to all men at risk of infertility because of their cancer treatment. Clearer practice standards could help oncologists increase their knowledge about sperm banking and avoid dependence on biased patient selection criteria.