Reproductive Patterns Among Childhood and Adolescent Cancer Survivors in Sweden: A Population-Based Matched-Cohort Study

Abstract

Purpose To compare the probability of a first live birth, age at time of birth, and time between diagnosis/referent date and birth between childhood and adolescent cancer survivors and an age-matched comparison group. Materials and Methods A total of 1,206 survivors was included in the study, together with 2,412 age-matched individuals from the general population. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate first live birth after diagnosis/referent date. Data were stratified by sex, age at diagnosis, and diagnostic era (ie, diagnosis before 1988 v in 1988 or later). Results Overall, the probability of having a first live birth (hazard ratio [HR]) was significantly lower; men had lower HRs than women (HR, 0.65 v 0.79). There were no significant differences in the probability of having a first live birth among women diagnosed during adolescence (HR, 0.89), but the HR was lower among women with childhood cancers (HR, 0.47). Among male survivors, the situation was the opposite; men diagnosed during adolescence had lower HRs than survivors of childhood cancer (HR, 0.56 v 0.70). Examination of the data from the two diagnostic eras (before 1988 and 1988 or later) shows that the HR increased among female survivors after 1988 (HR, 0.71 v 0.90) and decreased among male survivors (HR, 0.72 v 0.59). A shorter time had elapsed between diagnosis/referent date and the birth of a first child among both male and female survivors compared with controls. In addition, female survivors were younger at time of birth. Conclusion The study demonstrates reduced probability of having a first live birth among cancer survivors diagnosed during childhood or adolescence; men were particularly vulnerable.