2Department of Surgery, Tehran University of Medical Science, Cancer Institute, Tehran-Iran
3Department of Radiology, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran-Iran
4Department of Medicine Tehran Medical Branch of Islamic Azad University, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran-Iran DOI : 10.5505/tjo.2019.2165 OBJECTIVE
To introduce the importance of oncofertility and fertility preservation counseling in women with breast cancer and to discuss possible impacting factors regarding Iranian breast cancer female patients" participation in fertility preservation programs.
METHODS
In this study, 146 females with breast cancer were studied. The eligibility criteria were: female patients
with breast cancer, to be in their reproductive age (between 14 to 45 years). Patients with at least one
of the following criteria were excluded from this study: Having received chemo-radiotherapy before
the current treatment, having received hormonal or pharmacological assisted reproductive treatments
previously and unwillingness to participate in this study.
RESULTS
Out of 146 patients, oncofertility counseling was requested for 55 eligible patients. Oocyte-egg cryopreservation
was successful in 16 patients (29.10%). In four patients (7.27%), the number of ovarian
follicles was inadequate. For 10 patients (18.18%), oncologists advised initiation of chemotherapy before
completion of preservation programs, and 25 patients (45.45%) decided not to continue their preservation
programs. Out of 91 patients not receiving oncofertility counseling, 76 patients (83.50%) declared
that their family planning was completed, 11 patients (12.10%) were in the early stages of breast cancer
and did not require chemoradiotherapy, and four patients (4.40%) were in metastatic stages. We also
found that contrary to the number of living children of patients, neither age nor marital status has an
impact on their decisions to participate in fertility preservation programs.
CONCLUSION
To improve the quality of lives of Iranian women suffering from breast cancer, it is of utmost importance
to raise awareness of oncofertility and to investigate the reasons for the under-implementation of fertility
preservation programs in cancer patients.