Title of Research
The Role of Nursing in Fertility Preservation of Cancer Patients: An Integrated Literature Review
Start Date
23-8-2019 9:30 AM
End Date
23-8-2019 11:30 AM
Abstract
Background: Approximately 70,000 young people between the ages of 15 and 39 are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Concurrently, ideal child bearing ages also fall within this age range. With this in mind, post treatment quality of life is considered. One of the most important aspects of post cancer treatment is preservation of fertility.
Objectives: To explore what research has been conducted to understand what the nurse’s role in fertility preservation of cancer patients.
Methods: An electronic search of literature was conducted using Academic Search Complete, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Health Literature (CINAHL), and PubMed. Key words used to in multiple text combinations include the following terms: fertility, fertility preservation, cancer, cancer patients, neoplasms, education, nurse. Articles were all in English, had to have been published between 2008 and 2018, and included participants between birth and 44 years of age.
Results: The nurse’s role in fertility preservation of cancer patients is education. The nurse can assess the patient’s interest in having children in the future and determine whether they have spoken with anyone or read about the potential impact of cancer treatment on fertility. The nurse can ensure that the patient understands the risk of infertility emphasizing that the precise risk is impossible to predict. A description of the options to preserve fertility and provision of resources with more information to review is imperative. If patients are interested in seeing a reproductive specialist, the nurse should ensure that the referral is made.
Conclusion: The role of nurses in fertility preservation of cancer patients is education. However, after reviewing the articles in this peer review, there are three perceived barriers to nurses providing adequate education to cancer patients in or before child bearing years: knowledge, attitude, and behavior.
Key words: fertility, fertility preservation, cancer, cancer patients, neoplasms, education, nurse
Included in
The Role of Nursing in Fertility Preservation of Cancer Patients: An Integrated Literature Review
Background: Approximately 70,000 young people between the ages of 15 and 39 are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Concurrently, ideal child bearing ages also fall within this age range. With this in mind, post treatment quality of life is considered. One of the most important aspects of post cancer treatment is preservation of fertility.
Objectives: To explore what research has been conducted to understand what the nurse’s role in fertility preservation of cancer patients.
Methods: An electronic search of literature was conducted using Academic Search Complete, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Health Literature (CINAHL), and PubMed. Key words used to in multiple text combinations include the following terms: fertility, fertility preservation, cancer, cancer patients, neoplasms, education, nurse. Articles were all in English, had to have been published between 2008 and 2018, and included participants between birth and 44 years of age.
Results: The nurse’s role in fertility preservation of cancer patients is education. The nurse can assess the patient’s interest in having children in the future and determine whether they have spoken with anyone or read about the potential impact of cancer treatment on fertility. The nurse can ensure that the patient understands the risk of infertility emphasizing that the precise risk is impossible to predict. A description of the options to preserve fertility and provision of resources with more information to review is imperative. If patients are interested in seeing a reproductive specialist, the nurse should ensure that the referral is made.
Conclusion: The role of nurses in fertility preservation of cancer patients is education. However, after reviewing the articles in this peer review, there are three perceived barriers to nurses providing adequate education to cancer patients in or before child bearing years: knowledge, attitude, and behavior.
Key words: fertility, fertility preservation, cancer, cancer patients, neoplasms, education, nurse