Critical appraisal:Salem WH, Letourneau JM, Chan J, Chan SW, Cedars M, Rosen MP 2017

Critical Appraisal

Article being appraised

Salem WH, Letourneau JM, Chan J, Chan SW, Cedars M, Rosen MP. Cancer survivors of gynecologic malignancies are at risk for decreased opportunity for fertility preservation. Contracept Reprod Med 2017;2:12 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29201417.

Applicable clinical question

What proportion of cancer patients have a discussion regarding the risk of infertility with a health professional?

Key Facts

Study Design

cross sectional study

Study aims:

Evaluates the proportion of women diagnosed with gynaecological cancers provided with fertility preservation counselling compared to women with other types of cancer diagnoses.

Number of Patients:

324

2537 women contacted, 1892 responded and 1686 reported treatment with potential to impact fertility.

Among women with GYN cancers 52% wanted future children with 74% aged <35 years interested in fertility preservation.

Women with gynaecological cancers received less counselling than women with other cancers (OR 0.5 95% CI 0.4-0.6). Three hundred twenty-four patients gave qualitative answers

Reported outcome(s):

Identified barriers included incomplete information(59%), nondisclosure(29%), a disinterest(5%), and urgency to start treatment(7%).

Includes an economic evaluation

no