Study of Information Received About Fertility and Infertility in Patients Who Have Finished Treatment for Cancer

Descriptive Study to Evaluate the Information and Psychosocial Issues on the Risk on Infertility in Cancer Patients After Receiving Treatment in a Comprehensive Cancer Center

RATIONALE: Learning about the amount of information on fertility and infertility by patients before they received treatment for cancer in a comprehensive cancer center may help doctors plan the best treatment.

PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying the amount of information on fertility and infertility received by patients before treatment of cancer in patients who have finished treatment.

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• To determine the amount of information received on aspects of fertility and infertility in patients with cancer prior to receiving treatment in a comprehensive cancer center.

Secondary

• To analyze whether the information received by patients is related to the desire to be parents.
• To analyze whether the information received by patients is related to the desire to be informed.
• To determine whether there is a relationship between demographic data, diagnosis, quality of life, and associated psychosocial information received by patients.

OUTLINE: Patients complete questionnaires (Lickert and QLQ-C30) on the amount of information received prior to therapy and psychosocial issues on aspects of fertility and infertility once within 1-2 years after receiving treatment.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of breast cancer, germ cell tumor, colon cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, or sarcoma

  • Free of disease

• Completed treatment within the past 1-2 years

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG performance status 0-1
• Must be able to read and self-complete study questionnaires
• No psychological conditions that may prevent participation in the study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No concurrent treatment (hormonal treatment for breast cancer is allowed)