Desire for children among male survivors of childhood cancer: A DCCSS LATER study

Abstract

Background Knowledge of the desire for children among childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) is scarce. This study evaluated the desire for children in male CCSs in comparison with male siblings. Methods A nationwide cohort study was conducted as part of the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study LATER study: 1317 male CCSs and 407 male sibling controls completed a questionnaire addressing the desire for children. Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the independent association between survivorship status and the desire for children. Furthermore, additional analyses were performed to identify which cancer‐related factors were associated with the desire for children in male CCSs. Results After adjustments for the age at assessment, the percentage of men who had a desire for children was significantly lower among CCSs compared with the siblings (74% vs. 82%; odds ratio [OR], 0.61; 95% CI, 0.46–0.82; p = .001). The association between survivorship status and the desire for children was attenuated after adjustments for marital status, level of education, and employment status (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.61–1.14; p = .250). The percentage of men who had an unfulfilled desire for children remained significantly higher among CCSs compared with the siblings after adjustments for sociodemographic factors (25% vs. 7%; OR, 5.14; 95% CI, 2.48–10.64; p < .001). Conclusions The majority of male CCSs have a desire for children. The likelihood of having to deal with an unfulfilled desire for children is 5 times higher among CCSs compared with their siblings. This insight is important for understanding the needs and experienced problems of CCSs regarding family planning and fertility issues.

Pre-treatment fertility preservation and post-treatment reproduction in long-term survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer

“…After treatment, survivors sometimes reconsider their life goals [11,13,66], and this study showed that almost 20% of female, but only 8% of male survivors wanted no (additional) children due to their cancer experience. This corroborates qualitative studies where mostly female survivors are concerned about relapses and their ability to have a healthy pregnancy [67][68][69][70][71].…”

Bioactive compounds as potential alternative treatments to prevent cancer therapy-induced male infertility

“…Unfortunately, male survivors of childhood cancer have a higher desire for children compared with their siblings (25% vs . 7%) ( 4 ), thereby developing interventions that preserve male fertility is a necessity for cancer patients.…”

Reproductive outcomes and reproductive health care utilization among male survivors of childhood cancer: A DCCSS‐LATER study

“…In the Dutch cohort of CCSs, three-quarters of 1317 male survivors reported to have a desire for children. 5 Because many young adults place great importance on fertility, the potential for infertility can cause significant emotional distress. 6 Ongoing research that focuses on evaluating the toxicity risk of various chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy schedules on gonadal function will support personalized infertility risk assessment and guidance on options for fertility preservation at cancer diagnosis.…”

“…In the Dutch cohort of CCSs, three‐quarters of 1317 male survivors reported to have a desire for children 5 . Because many young adults place great importance on fertility, the potential for infertility can cause significant emotional distress 6 .…”