Article
Adolescent cancer patients are able to bank sperm
Most adolescent cancer patients who have been offered fertility preservation are able to bank sperm, according to a study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood (2006; 91:149-52).
Most adolescent cancer patients who have been offered fertility preservation are able to bank sperm, according to a study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood (2006; 91:149-52).
In the study conducted by United Kingdom researchers, questionnaires were administered to 55 patients aged 13 to 21 years who had received potentially gonadotoxic therapy between 1997 and 2001 and had been offered sperm banking. Two-thirds (67%) of respondents were able to bank sperm, reported the researchers, led by Guy Makin, PhD.
Those who had been unsuccessful were younger and described higher levels of anxiety at diagnosis and greater difficulty in talking about fertility. They also described less understanding of sperm banking at the time of diagnosis.
