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Comparative Study
. 2019 Oct:47:85-92.
doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2019.07.001. Epub 2019 Jul 10.

Fertility concerns, preservation strategies and quality of life in young women with breast cancer: Baseline results from an ongoing prospective cohort study in selected European Centers

M Ruggeri  1 , E Pagan  2 , V Bagnardi  2 , N Bianco  3 , E Gallerani  4 , K Buser  5 , M Giordano  6 , L Gianni  7 , M Rabaglio  8 , A Freschi  9 , E Cretella  10 , M Clerico  11 , A Farolfi  12 , E Simoncini  13 , M Ciccarese  14 , D Rauch  15 , M Ramello  16 , A Glaus  17 , R Berardi  18 , A Franzetti Pellanda  19 , K Ribi  20 , S Gelber  21 , A H Partridge  22 , A Goldhirsch  23 , O Pagani  24
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Fertility concerns, preservation strategies and quality of life in young women with breast cancer: Baseline results from an ongoing prospective cohort study in selected European Centers

M Ruggeri et al. Breast. 2019 Oct.

Abstract

Objectives: Most research addressing needs and concerns of young patients with breast cancer (≤40 years) is retrospective. The HOHO European protocol is a prospective multicenter cohort study of young women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, about fertility, psychosocial and quality of life concerns. Here we report the baseline data and focus on predictors of fertility concerns.

Materials and methods: Patient surveys and medical record review were used. The baseline survey included sociodemographic, medical and treatment data as well as questions on fertility concerns and preservation strategies. Subscales from the CAncer Rehabilitation Evaluation System-Short Form (CARES-SF) were administered to measure specific quality of life aspects. Uni- and multivariable modeling were used to investigate predictors of greater fertility concern.

Results: Among 297 eligible respondents, 67% discussed fertility issues before starting therapy, 64% were concerned about becoming infertile after treatment, and 15% decided not to follow prescribed therapies. Fifty-four percent of women wished future children before diagnosis; of these, 71% still desired biologic children afterwards. In multivariable analysis, not having children was the only patient characteristic significantly associated with fertility concerns at diagnosis. Twenty-seven percent used fertility preservation strategies. Women who received chemotherapy reported greater physical (p = 0.021) and sexual difficulties (p = 0.039) than women who did not. Women who were married or had a partner reported less psychosocial problems than single women (p = 0.039).

Conclusions: Young women with newly diagnosed breast cancer have several concerns, including, but not limited to, fertility. The HOHO European study provides valuable information to develop targeted interventions.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Fertility concerns; Psychosocial aspects; Quality of life; Young women.

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