Fertility preservation cost and use: Results from the LIVESTRONG survey.

Authors

null

Ruth Rechis

LIVESTRONG Foundation, Austin, TX

Ruth Rechis, Stephanie Nutt, Carla Bann

Organizations

LIVESTRONG Foundation, Austin, TX, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC

Research Funding

No funding sources reported

Background: Each year nearly 70,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are diagnosed with cancer. Recently, steps have been taken to address infertility, which is an important issue experienced by AYAs. For example, ASCO QOPI includes fertility standards and Walgreens and the LIVESTRONG Foundation provide financial assistance for fertility preservation medications. To better understand the current state of fertility preservation, eight questions on this topic were included on the LIVESTRONG Survey. Methods: From June to December 2012, LIVESTRONG conducted an online survey (N = 6,313). Analysis here includes the 1,333 AYA respondents who were diagnosed since 2002. Results: Only 24% of respondents (42% of males, 12% of females) indicated they took steps to preserve their fertility before beginning treatment. Top reasons for not preserving their fertility were not receiving information about options (19%) and/or information about the risks to their fertility (14%). For the AYAs who did preserve their fertility, the median amount spent on fertility expenses was between $1,000 and $2,499 (Table) with males spending significantly less than females (p < 0.001). Mostly commonly, males used sperm banking (97%) while females used egg and embryo banking (each 35%). The majority all who attempted to become pregnant were successful (58% and 68% respectively). Conclusions: Results from this analysis indicate that few survivors took steps to preserve their fertility before starting treatment. Yet for those who were interested in preserving their fertility and starting a family, the majority of individuals were successful. Many individuals reported not preserving their fertility due to a lack of information or resources. While a relatively small number of survivors will have fertility concerns, this is an important quality of life issue for those who do.

Amount of survivors who took steps to preserve their fertility paid for fertility-related expenses.
Amount paid for fertility-related expenses % of male survivors % of female survivors
$0-$999 43% 22%
$1,000-$2,499 25% 8%
$2,500-$4,999 11% 9%
$5,000-$9,999 5% 14%
$10,000-$14,999 2% 14%
$15,000-$24,999 1% 13%
$25,000-$30,000 0% 1%
Over $30,0000 0% 4%
Unknown 11% 16%

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2013 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

General Poster Session A: Science of Quality

Track

Science of Quality,Health Reform: Implications for Costs and Quality ,Practice of Quality

Sub Track

Quality Improvement

Citation

J Clin Oncol 31, 2013 (suppl 31; abstr 59)

Abstract #

59

Poster Bd #

C16

Abstract Disclosures

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