Female cancer patients' perceptions of the fertility preservation decision-making process: An exploratory prospective study

Cláudia Melo, Ana Fonseca, Mariana Moura-Ramos, Teresa Almeida-Santos, Maria Cristina Canavarro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: To assess female cancer patients' perceptions of the fertility preservation decision-making process and to examine the effect of clinicians' support on the decision quality. Methods: A total of 71 patients participated in this longitudinal study with two assessment time points (before cancer therapy, after cancer therapy). Self-report measures assessed the decision-making process, the decision quality and the clinicians' support. Results: A less positive experience in the decision-making process was associated with higher decisional regret and lower decisional satisfaction. In the group that decided not to pursue FP, participants who perceived higher oncologist's support reported higher decisional satisfaction. Conclusions: A higher quality decision is positively associated with a better experience in the decision-making process. The oncologist's support is crucial for the decisional satisfaction of patients who decide not to pursue FP. Implications for psychosocial providers: Psychologists may be important in helping patients to adequately cope with the FP decision so that they can make a high-quality decision.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)364-381
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Psychosocial Oncology
Volume36
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 May 2018
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018, © 2018 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Keywords

  • cancer
  • decision-making process
  • fertility preservation
  • healthcare providers support
  • high-quality decision
  • oncology

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