Fertility Preservation Discussions Between Young Adult Rectal Cancer Survivors and Their Providers: Sex-Specific Prevalence and Correlates

Abstract

Background: Young adults (YA) diagnosed with rectal cancer are disproportionately impacted by the gonadotoxic effects of treatment and potential subsequent infertility.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the prevalence of fertility preservation measures used, reasons why such measures were not used, and correlates of discussion between providers and YA rectal cancer survivors.

Design: An online, cross-sectional survey was administered on the Facebook page of a national colorectal cancer (CRC) advocacy organization. Eligible participants were rectal cancer survivors diagnosed before age 50, between 6 and 36 months from diagnosis or relapse, and based in the US.

Results: Participants were 148 rectal cancer survivors. Over half of the survivors reported that their doctor did not talk to them about potential therapy-related fertility complications. Only one-fifth of survivors banked sperm (males) or eggs/embryos (females) prior to their cancer therapy. Older age at diagnosis and greater quality of life were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of fertility discussions among males. Greater quality of life was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of fertility discussion among females.

Conclusions: These findings indicate that the majority of YA rectal cancer survivors do not receive, or cannot recall, comprehensive cancer care, and help to identify patients with rectal cancer who may be at risk for inadequate fertility counseling. Clinicians should provide proper counseling to mitigate this late effect and to ensure optimal quality of life for YA rectal cancer survivors.

Keywords: cancer; fertility; rectal cancer; reproductive health; survivorship.