• Volkan Emirdar, Volkan Karataşli, Ferruh Acet, Gulin Okay, Funda Gode, Alaattin Karabulut, and Çağatay Arslan.
• Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Izmir Economy University, School of Medicine, Medical Park Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
• Int. J. Clin. Pract. 2023 Jan 1; 2023: 61931876193187.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the knowledge level and perspectives of female cancer patients regarding fertility preservation techniques before gonadotoxic treatment. Material and Methods. This was a prospective observational survey-based study conducted between 2016 and 2020 in Izmir Economy University Medical Park Hospital. A total of 150 female cancer patients aged 18-42 years were included. The participants completed a 17-item questionnaire, developed by the research team to evaluate their knowledge and perspectives on fertility preservation techniques.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 39.5 ± 4.9 years. Only 64.7% of the patients were referred to fertility counseling by a gynecologist, while 72.6% of the patients knew of the risk of infertility after cancer treatment. There was a significant correlation between the health status and cancer stage of the patient (p=0.003). The estimated future chance of becoming pregnant spontaneously or through fertility preservation techniques was significantly higher in patients with a higher education level (p=0.041 or 0.008, respectively). Satisfaction with the counseling process was reported as high or low by 66.7% or 20% of the patients, respectively.ConclusionsThe rate of referral of reproductive-age cancer patients to fertility preservation counseling is still not satisfactory. Education level was the only variable significantly associated with a motivation to become pregnant after cancer treatment, either spontaneously or through fertility preservation techniques.Copyright © 2023 Volkan Emirdar et al.

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