Abstract A52: A pilot study to examine patient awareness and provider discussion of the impact of cancer treatment on fertility in a registry-based sample of African American women with breast cancer

Introduction: Although African American (AA) women are more likely to be diagnosed with early onset breast cancer (i.e., ≤ age 50) during their reproductive years, little is known about patient awareness of or provider discussion related to fertility concerns in this specific demographic group. In an effort to better understand how fertility concerns are addressed in the context of clinical care, this study seeks to document the prevalence of patient awareness and patientprovider discussion of infertility risk associated with cancer treatment in AA breast cancer patients. Method: As part of a larger study examining the role of genetic factors in AA women with early onset breast cancer, data were collected using a cross-sectional survey. Demographic and clinical variables were compared using chisquare tests for equal proportions or exact tests between participants who: (a) did and did not indicate awareness about potential fertility loss, and (b) did and did not report discussion of potential fertility loss with their health care providers. Results: Approximately 46% of the women in our sample (N = 48) reported awareness and 56.3% reported provider discussion of the potential impact of cancer treatment on fertility. Bivariate analyses demonstrated that awareness was significantly higher in women who were diagnosed at age ≤ 45 (p < .05), were nulliparous (p < .01), and/or did not have tubal ligation (p < .001). Provider discussion was more often reported by patients who were diagnosed in stages 2–3 (p < .05) and/or had no children (p < .01). Nearly half of early onset AA breast cancer patients are unaware and/or report no provider discussion of the potential impact of cancer treatment on fertility. Study results underscore missed clinical opportunities to provide fertility information that may impact long-term quality of life in early onset AA breast cancer patients. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):A52.