Artificial Reproductive Technology Use and Family-Building Experiences of Female Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study
Purpose: Cancer treatments can result in subfertility or infertility in female adult childhood cancer survivors (ACCSs). While ACCSs may utilize assisted reproductive technology (ART) or other family-building options, the limited evidence describing their experiences remains a hindrance to developin...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Current Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/7/369 |
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| author | Selena Banser A. Fuchsia Howard Sally Thorne Karen J. Goddard |
| author_facet | Selena Banser A. Fuchsia Howard Sally Thorne Karen J. Goddard |
| author_sort | Selena Banser |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose: Cancer treatments can result in subfertility or infertility in female adult childhood cancer survivors (ACCSs). While ACCSs may utilize assisted reproductive technology (ART) or other family-building options, the limited evidence describing their experiences remains a hindrance to developing and implementing appropriate patient-centered supports. The study’s aim is to describe the challenges female ACCSs experienced while navigating ART and family-building options, to inform improvements in clinical practice in a western Canadian province. Methods: In this qualitative Interpretive Description study, interviews were conducted with 15 female ACCSs and data were analyzed using an interpretive thematic approach and constant comparative techniques. Results: ACCSs’ narratives suggest they experienced five prominent challenges while navigating ART and family-building options, including (1) confronting unexpected, impaired fertility, (2) grieving loss and redefining identity, (3) encountering unsupportive healthcare, (4) exploring alternative paths of adoption and international family-building, and (5) facing financial strain. Conclusions: This exploratory study provides initial insights into the significant and multifaceted challenges female ACCSs experience related to family building and highlights gaps in healthcare services. Further research is warranted to articulate these challenges across contexts and the development and implementation of mitigating approaches. Implications for Cancer Survivors: The integration of comprehensive informational, psychosocial, and financial supports into existing cancer survivor and family-building services is vital to meeting female ACCSs’ unmet needs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-306512ba7d974b9a993b0c151dfc50bf |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1198-0052 1718-7729 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Current Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-306512ba7d974b9a993b0c151dfc50bf2025-08-20T02:45:34ZengMDPI AGCurrent Oncology1198-00521718-77292025-06-0132736910.3390/curroncol32070369Artificial Reproductive Technology Use and Family-Building Experiences of Female Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative StudySelena Banser0A. Fuchsia Howard1Sally Thorne2Karen J. Goddard3Vancouver Coastal Health, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 520 West 6th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H5, CanadaSchool of Nursing, The University of British Columbia, T201-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, CanadaSchool of Nursing, The University of British Columbia, T201-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, CanadaBC Cancer, 675 West 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 0B4, CanadaPurpose: Cancer treatments can result in subfertility or infertility in female adult childhood cancer survivors (ACCSs). While ACCSs may utilize assisted reproductive technology (ART) or other family-building options, the limited evidence describing their experiences remains a hindrance to developing and implementing appropriate patient-centered supports. The study’s aim is to describe the challenges female ACCSs experienced while navigating ART and family-building options, to inform improvements in clinical practice in a western Canadian province. Methods: In this qualitative Interpretive Description study, interviews were conducted with 15 female ACCSs and data were analyzed using an interpretive thematic approach and constant comparative techniques. Results: ACCSs’ narratives suggest they experienced five prominent challenges while navigating ART and family-building options, including (1) confronting unexpected, impaired fertility, (2) grieving loss and redefining identity, (3) encountering unsupportive healthcare, (4) exploring alternative paths of adoption and international family-building, and (5) facing financial strain. Conclusions: This exploratory study provides initial insights into the significant and multifaceted challenges female ACCSs experience related to family building and highlights gaps in healthcare services. Further research is warranted to articulate these challenges across contexts and the development and implementation of mitigating approaches. Implications for Cancer Survivors: The integration of comprehensive informational, psychosocial, and financial supports into existing cancer survivor and family-building services is vital to meeting female ACCSs’ unmet needs.https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/7/369fertilityoncologyassisted reproductionin vitro fertilizationpregnancycancer survivor |
| spellingShingle | Selena Banser A. Fuchsia Howard Sally Thorne Karen J. Goddard Artificial Reproductive Technology Use and Family-Building Experiences of Female Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study Current Oncology fertility oncology assisted reproduction in vitro fertilization pregnancy cancer survivor |
| title | Artificial Reproductive Technology Use and Family-Building Experiences of Female Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full | Artificial Reproductive Technology Use and Family-Building Experiences of Female Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | Artificial Reproductive Technology Use and Family-Building Experiences of Female Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Artificial Reproductive Technology Use and Family-Building Experiences of Female Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study |
| title_short | Artificial Reproductive Technology Use and Family-Building Experiences of Female Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | artificial reproductive technology use and family building experiences of female adult childhood cancer survivors a qualitative study |
| topic | fertility oncology assisted reproduction in vitro fertilization pregnancy cancer survivor |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/7/369 |
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