Reproductive experiences of young women after breast cancer diagnosis: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer has the highest incidence rate among malignant tumors in China, with a trend of affecting younger women. The survival rate of young women with breast cancer has improved significantly, but the treatment to which they are subjected has short- and long-term adverse effects such as damage to the ovaries, which may result in infertility. Such consequences, in turn, increase patients’ concerns over future reproduction and childbearing. At present, patients lack easy access to the informative consultations and accurate patient education. Nor do medical staffs continuously assess their overall well-being, engage in mental healthinterventions, or ensure that they have the knowledge necessary to manage their reproductive concerns. This qualitative study aims to explore the reproductive and psychological experiences of young women with breast cancer who have experienced childbirth after their cancer diagnosis.Methods: A descriptive qualitative study with purposive sampling using audio‑recorded fact‑to‑face interviews was conducted. A total of 12 young women with breast cancer who experienced childbirth after cancer diagnosis participated in this study. Data collection was from September, 2021 to January, 2022 and content analysis method was used to analyze the data. Results: Five distinct themes emerged from the analyses:(1) multifaceted reproductive motivation, (2) multiple emotional experiences, (3) multi-dimensional support needs, (4) influencing factors on reproductive decision-making, and (5) outcome experience of reproductive decision-making. Conclusions: The reproductive decision-making process of young women with breast cancer was affected by many factors. Reproductive motivation came from many aspects. Patients had various emotional experiences in the whole reproductive process and face various difficulties in supporting their needs. Therefore, the reproductive needs of young women with breast cancer should be considered during the reproductive decision-making process, and their reproductive willingness should be recognized as dynamically changing. Professional support and peer support should be provided in the reproductive process to build an effective communication channel for reproductive decision-making, improve the decision-making ability, alleviate the negative emotional experience, and promote a smooth process of reproductive experience for young patients.