Fertility Preservation in Young Breast Cancer Patients: a Concept Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify and analyze the concept of fertility preservation in young breast cancer patients. As the reproductive age of women increases and the number of young cancer patients increases, there is an uncertain situation in which young cancer patients diagnosed with breast cancer may lose fertility in the course of cancer treatment. Fertility preservation is a widely used concept It is necessary to clarify the meaning and concept of fertility preservation in young breast cancer patients in order to reduce confusion in the selection of cancer treatment and fertility preservation. For this study the process of Walker & Avant's analysis was used. Eleven studies from electronic data bases met criteria for selection. Fertility preservation can be defined by the following attributes 1)basic human desire 2)voluntary choice according to the individual's point of view 3)change of perception through consultation. The antecedents of fertility preservation consisted of: 1)Appropriateness of providing information 2)differences in individual values 3)socioenvironmental factors. The consequences occurring as a result of fertility preservation were: 1)improvement distress and 2)enhancement of quality of life. results of this analysis provides a theoretical framework for oncology medical staff to better understand fertility preservation in young breast cancer patients, to improve quality of life.