Oncocontraception in cancer care.

Abstract

e18018 Background: Focus on fertility preservation has overshadowed other aspects of reproductive health including sexuality and contraception in cancer care. Regardless of future childbearing interest, the first 18-months post-diagnosis of cancer are considered suboptimal for childbearing. We have coined the term, oncocontraception, for the application of contraception in cancer care. To address this need at our institution, we used the novel Family Planning Quotient/Reproductive Life Index (FPQ/RepLI) which allows providers to better understand patients’ reproductive health goals and counsel them towards appropriate family planning services. These tools aid providers in implementing clinical care to prevent pregnancy during this critical time. They are routinely utilized at Stroger Hospital in the Family Planning Clinic for women within the reproductive age, between the ages of 18 and 55. Methods: FPQ and RepLI were adapted for use with oncology patients. They were used to visually depict and quantify a woman’s reproductive life plan and assist health care providers in speaking to a woman regarding family planning as it pertains to and aligns with her cancer treatment. Results: During our study period, 36 reproductive aged women were seen in our family planning clinic after a cancer diagnosis. Our study population was comprised of mostly Hispanic/Latino women (58.3.0%) and 50.0% were between the ages of 31-40. The majority of the study group had breast cancer (77.8%) and were being treated with chemotherapy (52.8%). Among the study population, 80.6% received a form of contraception (44.8% short-term, 55.2% long-term). Conclusions: We established a link between the Oncology and Family Planning Clinics to incorporate contraceptive counseling as an essential piece of comprehensive cancer care. Approximately 45% of the women newly diagnosed with cancer are in the reproductive age range. With improvements in treatments and prognosis, quality of life factors are of increasing importance for these women. With this essential clinical relationship, patient counseling and provider-patient communication regarding contraceptive care in the context of cancer diagnosis will continue to grow and improve.