TY - JOUR
T1 - A comparison of heterosexual and LGBTQ cancer survivors’ outlooks on relationships, family building, possible infertility, and patient-doctor fertility risk communication
AU - M. Russell, Andrea
AU - Galvin, Kathleen M.
AU - Harper, Maya M.
AU - Clayman, Marla L.
N1 - Funding Information:
Funding This study was funded through a grant to Dr. Clayman from The Sexualities Project at Northwestern University.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.
PY - 2016/10/1
Y1 - 2016/10/1
N2 - Purpose: Little research about cancer-related infertility has examined the experiences and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) cancer survivors. This research seeks to understand how LGBTQ survivors are similar to or different from heterosexual survivors with respect to cancer treatments’ effects on relationships, plans for parenthood, and fertility preservation decision making. Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews conducted with adolescent or young adult (AYA) cancer survivors (n = 56) were coded for themes. Interviews consisted of questions about pre- and post-diagnosis thoughts about relationships, parenthood, possible infertility, and how information about fertility risks was received. Results: While LGBTQ (n = 22) and heterosexual (n = 34) survivors reported similar challenges when dating post-diagnosis, heterosexual survivors were more likely to report fertility concerns as affecting romantic relationships (p <.05). LGBTQ survivors seemed more open to raising non-biological children or not becoming a parent than heterosexual survivors. LGBTQ survivors generally reported being satisfied with or indifferent to the information that they were given regarding fertility loss, despite reporting receiving similar amounts of information as compared to heterosexual patients (p <.10). Conclusions: LGBTQ patients’ views on relationships, parenthood, and family building seemed to result in less distress when faced with infertility. However, interventions facilitating information exchange about dating, fertility risks, and family building options may be valuable to LGBTQ and heterosexual cancer survivors. Implications for Cancer Survivors: LGBTQ cancer survivors may display more adaptive coping with respect to relationships and fertility loss. Oncology professionals may want to proactively introduce positive coping strategies to reduce distress among AYA cancer survivors at risk for infertility.
AB - Purpose: Little research about cancer-related infertility has examined the experiences and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) cancer survivors. This research seeks to understand how LGBTQ survivors are similar to or different from heterosexual survivors with respect to cancer treatments’ effects on relationships, plans for parenthood, and fertility preservation decision making. Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews conducted with adolescent or young adult (AYA) cancer survivors (n = 56) were coded for themes. Interviews consisted of questions about pre- and post-diagnosis thoughts about relationships, parenthood, possible infertility, and how information about fertility risks was received. Results: While LGBTQ (n = 22) and heterosexual (n = 34) survivors reported similar challenges when dating post-diagnosis, heterosexual survivors were more likely to report fertility concerns as affecting romantic relationships (p <.05). LGBTQ survivors seemed more open to raising non-biological children or not becoming a parent than heterosexual survivors. LGBTQ survivors generally reported being satisfied with or indifferent to the information that they were given regarding fertility loss, despite reporting receiving similar amounts of information as compared to heterosexual patients (p <.10). Conclusions: LGBTQ patients’ views on relationships, parenthood, and family building seemed to result in less distress when faced with infertility. However, interventions facilitating information exchange about dating, fertility risks, and family building options may be valuable to LGBTQ and heterosexual cancer survivors. Implications for Cancer Survivors: LGBTQ cancer survivors may display more adaptive coping with respect to relationships and fertility loss. Oncology professionals may want to proactively introduce positive coping strategies to reduce distress among AYA cancer survivors at risk for infertility.
KW - Adolescent and young adult (AYA)
KW - Cancer survivors
KW - Fertility preservation
KW - LGBTQ
KW - Oncofertility
KW - Psychosocial needs
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U2 - 10.1007/s11764-016-0524-9
DO - 10.1007/s11764-016-0524-9
M3 - Article
C2 - 26887847
AN - SCOPUS:84958777542
SN - 1932-2259
VL - 10
SP - 935
EP - 942
JO - Journal of Cancer Survivorship
JF - Journal of Cancer Survivorship
IS - 5
ER -
