Purpose To examine provider perceptions of practice behaviors and barriers related to fertility counseling, fertility preservation, and family building among transgender patients. Methods Participants were medical and mental health professionals who treat adult and youth transgender patients. Recruitment occurred online and in person, via professional listservs for transgender professionals, conferences, and gender clinics. From August-November 2017, 110 participants representing nine countries responded to four open-ended questions included on a survey related to provider practice behaviors and perceived barriers to fertility counseling, fertility preservation, and family building with transgender patients. Thematic coding analysis was used to identify themes. Results Multiple themes were identified including the following: access and cost issues; urgency for gender-affirming treatment; patient maturity and inability to make future-oriented decisions; and provider-related challenges pertaining to knowledge, role, and general lack of information in the nascent field of transgender reproductive health. Conclusion(s) This study yielded insights into practice behaviors, challenges, and perceived barriers to fertility counseling with transgender individuals and can serve as a basis for intervention development to optimize clinical practices with this population.
Sexual function is a vital aspect of quality of life among adolescent and young adult (AYA) (ages 15‐39 years) cancer survivors. Sexual function encompasses physical, psychosocial, and developmental factors that contribute to sexual health, all of which may be negatively impacted by cancer and treatment. However, limited information is available to inform the care of AYA cancer survivors in this regard. This scoping review, conducted by the Children's Oncology Group AYA Oncology Discipline Committee, summarizes available literature regarding sexual function among AYA cancer survivors, including relevant psychosexual aspects of romantic relationships and body image. Results suggest that, overall, AYA cancer survivors experience a substantial burden of sexual dysfunction. Both physical and psychosocial sequelae influence survivors' sexual health. Interventions to support sexual health and psychosexual adjustment after cancer treatment are needed. Collaborations between the Children's Oncology Group and adult‐focused cooperative groups within the National Cancer Institute's National Clinical Trials Network are warranted to advance prospective assessment of sexual dysfunction and test interventions to improve sexual health among AYA cancer survivors.
An estimated 1.4 million adults and 150,000 youths in the United States identify as transgender and gender diverse (TGD), 1 and disproportionately experience negative health outcomes and discrimination in health care settings. These disparities extend to, and are amplified within, cancer care. In May 2019, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) first proposed a regulatory reform to eliminate federal protections against health care discrimination on the basis of gender identity in Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This reform purportedly seeks to promote religious freedom and help reduce unnecessary costs to the American public. However, if implemented, the changes will substantially limit the rights of all patients while eliminating prohibitions against discrimination by insurers, hospitals, and individual providers. The burden of these changes will undoubtedly be felt by the LGBT community as a whole and represent especially imminent threats to the safety and health of our country's TGD people, including those with cancer. Within this context, we urge the oncology community to commit collectively to protecting and promoting the rights of our TGD patients to receive high-quality and inclusive cancer care.
Uterus transplantation is an emerging technology adding to the arsenal of treatments for infertility; specifically the only available treatment for uterine factor infertility. Ethical investigations concerning risks to uteri donors and transplant recipients have been discussed in the literature. However, missing from the discourse is the potential of uterus transplantation in other groups of genetically XY women who experience uterine factor infertility. There have been philosophical inquiries concerning uterus transplantation in genetically XY women, which includes transgender women and women with complete androgen insufficiency syndrome. We discuss the potential medical steps necessary and associated risks for uterus transplantation in genetically XY women. Presently, the medical technology does not exist to make uterus transplantation a safe and effective option for genetically XY women, however this group should not be summarily excluded from participation in trials. Laboratory research is needed to better understand and reduce medical risk and widen the field to all women who face uterine factor infertility.
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