A qualitative study of the information needs of premenopausal women with breast cancer in terms of contraception, sexuality, early menopause, and fertility.

摘要

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the information needed and received by premenopausal Turkish women with breast cancer regarding contraception, early menopause, infertility, fertility preservation, and sexuality. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory methodology was used whereby an interviewer met on 2 occasions with women with breast cancer. The participants-who were recruited from the oncology clinic of Adnan Menderes University Hospital, Aydin, Turkey-were premenopausal, younger than 50 years of age, and had been diagnosed with breast cancer within the past year. Raw data were sorted under themes. RESULTS: Premenopausal women with breast cancer received insufficient counseling on contraception, early menopause, infertility, fertility preservation, and sexuality, despite their willingness to receive information. CONCLUSION: In Turkey, premenopausal women with breast cancer should receive comprehensive information and counseling from oncology staff on the issues studied. The present study may guide future research on this topic.