TY - JOUR
T1 - Knowledge, attitudes and practice of physicians towards fertility and pregnancy-related issues in youngBRCA-mutated breast cancer patients
AU - Lambertini, Matteo
AU - Di Maio, Massimo
AU - Poggio, Francesca
AU - Pagani, Olivia
AU - Curigliano, Giuseppe
AU - Mastro, Lucia Del
AU - Paluch-Shimon, Shani
AU - Loibl, Sibylle
AU - Partridge, Ann H.
AU - Azim, Hatem A.
AU - Peccatori, Fedro A.
AU - Demeestere, Isabelle
PY - 2019/5/1
Y1 - 2019/5/1
N2 - Research question: This study explored the knowledge, attitudes and practice of physicians towards fertility and pregnancy-related issues in young BRCA-mutated breast cancer patients. Design: Physicians attending two international breast cancer conferences completed a 26-item questionnaire exploring fertility preservation, pregnancy during (BCP) or after breast cancer. A statistical comparison was carried out of the responses exploring the same issues in young breast cancer patients overall or specifically in those with BRCA mutations. Results: The survey was completed by 273 physicians. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (33% versus 40%; P = 0.009) and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues during chemotherapy (74% versus 81%; P = 0.001) were less commonly suggested in BRCA-mutated patients than in the overall breast cancer population. 42% of respondents agreed or were neutral on the statement that ovarian stimulation should not be considered safe in BRCA-mutated breast cancer patients. 45% and 30% agreed or were neutral on the statement that pregnancy in breast cancer survivors may increase the risk of recurrence in BRCA-mutated patients or in the overall breast cancer population, respectively (P < 0.001). 15% and 3% disagreed that transplanting the cryopreserved ovarian tissue can be considered safe in BRCA-mutated patients or in the overall breast cancer population, respectively (P < 0.001). 33.3% were against the addition of platinum agents as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in BRCA-mutated patients with BCP. Conclusions: Several misconceptions on fertility preservation and pregnancy-related issues in breast cancer patients persist even among physicians directly involved in breast cancer care. Focused research efforts to address these issues in BRCA-mutated breast cancer patients and education to improve physicians’ knowledge and adherence to available guidelines are urgently needed.
AB - Research question: This study explored the knowledge, attitudes and practice of physicians towards fertility and pregnancy-related issues in young BRCA-mutated breast cancer patients. Design: Physicians attending two international breast cancer conferences completed a 26-item questionnaire exploring fertility preservation, pregnancy during (BCP) or after breast cancer. A statistical comparison was carried out of the responses exploring the same issues in young breast cancer patients overall or specifically in those with BRCA mutations. Results: The survey was completed by 273 physicians. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (33% versus 40%; P = 0.009) and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues during chemotherapy (74% versus 81%; P = 0.001) were less commonly suggested in BRCA-mutated patients than in the overall breast cancer population. 42% of respondents agreed or were neutral on the statement that ovarian stimulation should not be considered safe in BRCA-mutated breast cancer patients. 45% and 30% agreed or were neutral on the statement that pregnancy in breast cancer survivors may increase the risk of recurrence in BRCA-mutated patients or in the overall breast cancer population, respectively (P < 0.001). 15% and 3% disagreed that transplanting the cryopreserved ovarian tissue can be considered safe in BRCA-mutated patients or in the overall breast cancer population, respectively (P < 0.001). 33.3% were against the addition of platinum agents as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in BRCA-mutated patients with BCP. Conclusions: Several misconceptions on fertility preservation and pregnancy-related issues in breast cancer patients persist even among physicians directly involved in breast cancer care. Focused research efforts to address these issues in BRCA-mutated breast cancer patients and education to improve physicians’ knowledge and adherence to available guidelines are urgently needed.
KW - BRCA mutations
KW - breast cancer
KW - fertility preservation
KW - physicians
KW - pregnancy
KW - survey
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U2 - 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.11.031
DO - 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.11.031
M3 - Article
C2 - 30914152
AN - SCOPUS:85063286199
VL - 38
SP - 835
EP - 844
JO - Reproductive BioMedicine Online
JF - Reproductive BioMedicine Online
SN - 1472-6483
IS - 5
ER -