Parental influences on sperm banking attempts among adolescent males newly diagnosed with cancer
Health-care providers should include parents in discussions of fertility preservation of adolescent males with cancer, as their recommendations are influential in their son’s decision to make a sperm banking attempt.
Volume 108, Issue 6, Pages 1043–1049
Authors:
James L. Klosky, Ph.D., Jessica S. Flynn, M.S., Vicky Lehmann, Ph.D., Kathryn M. Russell, Ph.D., Fang Wang, M.S., Robin N. Hardin, M.A., Jasmine R. Eddinger, M.S., Hui Zhang, Ph.D., Lauren A.-M. Schenck, B.A., Leslie R. Schover, Ph.D.
Abstract:
Objective
To investigate the influence of parental sociodemographic, communication, and psychological factors on sperm collection attempts among at-risk adolescent males newly diagnosed with cancer.
Design
Prospective, single group, observational study design.
Setting
Pediatric oncology centers.
Patient(s)
Parents (N = 144) of 122 newly diagnosed adolescent males at increased risk for infertility secondary to cancer therapy.
Intervention(s)
Survey-based assessment of parent factors associated with adolescent collection attempts.
Main Outcome Measure(s)
Attempt of manual collection of sperm.
Result(s)
Parental recommendation to bank sperm (odds ratio [OR] 3.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–11.76) and perceived self-efficacy to facilitate banking (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.02–1.41) were associated with an increased likelihood of making a collection attempt.
Conclusion(s)
Parental recommendation to bank is a critical influence for sperm banking among adolescent males newly diagnosed with cancer. These findings highlight the importance of effective communication between parents, patients, and health-care teams when discussing preservation options. Parent perceptions of their ability to facilitate sperm banking at the time of diagnosis should also be targeted in future interventions.
Clinical Trial Registration Number
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