Hospice & Palliative Care

Biography

Biography: Gwendolyn P. Quinn

Abstract

Rates of survivorship among adolescents and young adults [AYA] (ages 15-39) diagnosed with cancer continue to rise. Cancer treatments are often associated with impaired fertility and sexual dysfunction and AYA survivors often experience poor body image, sterility, and improper use of contraception. Specifically, sustained infertility exists in 50-95% of adult cancer survivors. The American Society for Clinical Oncology and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend oncologists discuss potential loss of fertility and other reproductive health issues with patients prior to treatment and refer interested patients to a reproductive endocrinologist or fertility specialist to consider preservation and contraception options, prior to treatment. AYA concerns about potential reproductive health and infertility may not be addressed by health care providers for a variety of reasons: health care providers do not see fertility as a priority; do not having adequate knowledge and referral sources available; feel uncomfortable discussing sexuality and contraception; do not feel AYA are sexually active; feel reproductive health is not appropriate to discuss with patients with a poor prognosis; are unaware of or do not support assistive reproductive technology, third-party reproduction or posthumous reproduction. This session will address the reproductive health issues of AYA, provide guidance and resources on how to communicate about important issues, and highlight the role of addressing these “side effects” as a form of palliative care.