Challenges in accessing reproductive health care in young cancer survivors.

Authors

null

Bridgette Thom

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY

Bridgette Thom , Catherine Benedict , Danielle Novetsky Friedman , Debbie Diotallevi , Nirupa Jaya Raghunathan , Elaine Pottenger , Joanne Frankel Kelvin

Organizations

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY

Research Funding

NIH

Background: Infertility and early menopause are well-established late and long-term effects of many cancer treatments. Fertility preservation (FP) before (and in some cases after) treatment allows many survivors to achieve their family building goals despite gonadotoxic treatment. FP, however, is costly, and there is inconsistent, incomplete, or absent coverage across insurances. Furthermore, as many young survivors are un- or underinsured, disparities in referrals and service utilization have emerged. This presentation provides an overview of reproductive health care-related financial issues affecting young adult survivors, including cost of care, access to services, and relevant advocacy efforts, and highlights an analysis of the impact of income on FP decisions in a national sample of female survivors. Methods: We recruited female survivors aged 18-35 via social media and collected data using a web-based survey. Analyses included bivariate statistics and multiple logistic regression. Outcomes were receiving a fertility intervention (undergoing evaluation and/or fertility preservation of any sort) and freezing eggs/embryos before or after treatment. Results: 346 survivors, who were an average of 4.9 years (sd = 5.4) post-treatment, participated. 296 (86%) reported income: 35% <$50K; 39% $50K-100K; and 26% over 100K. Of 259 respondents who did not undergo FP, 27% reported cost as a barrier. In logistic regression, income was significantly related with receiving an intervention and freezing eggs/embryos. Controlling for age and nulliparity, high-income survivors were more likely to receive a fertility intervention (OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.3, 6.9) and to freeze eggs/embryos (OR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.2, 9.5) than low-income survivors. Conclusions: Our findings of disparity in utilization of reproductive health care among cancer survivors were similar to the published literature, with income impacting respondents’ receipt of fertility intervention and freezing of eggs/embryos. Clinical interventions and policy initiatives must address this service gap. Health care providers can help ensure that cancer survivors have access to available financial resources to assist with cost to facilitate their reproductive health care.

Disclaimer

This material on this page is ©2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology, all rights reserved. Licensing available upon request. For more information, please contact licensing@asco.org

Abstract Details

Meeting

2017 Cancer Survivorship Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session B: Late- and Long-term Effects/Comorbidities, Psychosocial Issues, and Recurrence and Secondary Malignancies

Track

Late- and Long-term Effects/Comorbidities,Psychosocial Issues,Recurrence and Secondary Malignancies

Sub Track

Fertility Preservation

Citation

J Clin Oncol 35, 2017 (suppl 5S; abstr 107)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2017.35.5_suppl.107

Abstract #

107

Poster Bd #

B7

Abstract Disclosures

Similar Abstracts

Abstract

2023 ASCO Annual Meeting

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship State of Survivorship Survey.

First Author: Shelley Fuld Nasso

Abstract

2023 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Loss to primary care provider follow-up among survivors five to seven years post-diagnosis.

First Author: Alexandra G. Peluso

First Author: Sarah A Birken