Arafa Mostafa A, Rabah Danny M
Urology Department, Prostate Cancer Unit, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Princess Johara Al Ibrahim Center for Cancer Research, Saudi Arabia.
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2011 Apr;33(3):203-7. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0b013e3182068047.
Cancer is a life-threatening diagnosis. Fortunately, life-saving treatments are available to increase the chance of survival in many patients. Yet, many of these treatments are damaging to the reproductive organs and the patients' fertility. A cross-sectional study addressing the knowledge and practices of oncologists toward fertility preservation for male and female patients with cancer was conducted in Saudi Arabia. In 3 different regions of the country, oncologists were invited to participate in the study, through a self-administered questionnaire which was handed to them inquiring about their knowledge, attitude, and referral practices for sperm cryopreservation. Only one-half knew about intracytoplasmic sperm injection, oncologists rated their perception of the importance of cryopreservation as 7.8 ± 1.8. Their referral practice was very poor; less than 20% refer their patients to a specialist. Factors that were considered important to start discussion of cryopreservation were type of cancer, age of patient, number of children, marital status, and cost. Religion was not deemed as important as was anticipated. With regards to female fertility preservation, oncologists showed a positive attitude as revealed from their positive perception, however, their referral practices was very poor. Several gaps were present in the knowledge of oncologists, which could influence their attitude and in turn was reflected on their poor practice. Future training session should be organized to the oncologists for increasing their knowledge and enhancing their attitude.
癌症是一种危及生命的诊断结果。幸运的是，有挽救生命的治疗方法可以增加许多患者的生存几率。然而，这些治疗方法中的许多都对生殖器官和患者的生育能力有损害。沙特阿拉伯开展了一项横断面研究，探讨肿瘤学家对癌症男性和女性患者生育力保存的知识和做法。在该国3个不同地区，通过向肿瘤学家发放自填式问卷邀请他们参与研究，问卷询问了他们关于精子冷冻保存的知识、态度和转诊做法。只有一半的人了解卵胞浆内单精子注射，肿瘤学家对冷冻保存重要性的认知评分为7.8±1.8。他们的转诊做法非常糟糕；不到20%的人将患者转诊给专科医生。被认为对开始讨论冷冻保存很重要的因素有癌症类型、患者年龄、子女数量、婚姻状况和费用。宗教不像预期的那样被视为重要因素。关于女性生育力保存，从肿瘤学家的积极认知可以看出他们持积极态度，然而，他们的转诊做法非常糟糕。肿瘤学家的知识存在一些差距，这可能会影响他们的态度，进而反映在他们糟糕的做法上。应该为肿瘤学家组织未来的培训课程，以增加他们的知识并增强他们的态度。
