Uptake And Experiences Of Breast Cancer Patients Referred For Fertility Preservation.

86 Background: The 2006 ASCO guidelines suggest women of childbearing age receive counseling and referrals regarding the impact of treatment on fertility. Less is known about the use and uptake of FP in these women. The objective of this study was to evaluate the experience of patients referred for FP from a multidisciplinary breast cancer program.After IRB approval, patients diagnosed with a primary breast cancer between January 1, 2006 and June 30, 2011 and referred for FP counseling were identified via queries of institutional databases. Clinicopathologic, treatment, and outcome data were collected. Patients who received a consultation with a reproductive endocrinologist (REI) and did not pursue FP were selected for further contact via telephone survey.Twenty-two patients had a consultation with REI; 10 were nulliparous. Fifteen of these saw an REI prior to any treatment. Thirteen (59%) had embryo or oocyte preservation. The majority (9) underwent consultation with both surgical and medical oncology prior to REI. Nine of the 13 had surgery prior to FP. Of the remaining 9, 7 (78%) responded to a telephone survey. Six (86%) recalled counseling at the initial visit or prior to chemotherapy. Barriers to FP included: cost (3), perceived delay in chemotherapy (2), being overwhelmed by cancer diagnosis (2), uncertainty of FP effects on cancer (1), and ethical concerns (1).Patients counseled by multiple oncology providers in a multidisciplinary setting prior to REI consultation were more likely to pursue FP. Those who did not cited a number of factors in their decision. Consultation with multiple oncology specialists may enhance decision-making regarding FP. [Table: see text].