Oncofertility awareness among primary care physicians in India [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
Prathima Tholeti,
Rajesh Kumar Jayaram,
Guruprasad Kalthur,
Karthik S Udupa,
Teresa Woodruff,
Satish K Adiga,
Shubhashree Uppangala,
Norah Spears
Affiliations
Prathima Tholeti
Centre for Fertility Preservation, Division of Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576 104, India
Rajesh Kumar Jayaram
Vijay Hospital, Hosur, Tamil Nadu, 635109, India
Guruprasad Kalthur
Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576 104, India
Karthik S Udupa
Department of Medical Oncology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576 104, India
Teresa Woodruff
Oncofertility Consortium, Room A626B, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824-1316, USA
Centre for Fertility Preservation, Division of Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576 104, India
Shubhashree Uppangala
Division of Reproductive Genetics, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576 104, India
Norah Spears
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
Background: Primary care physicians not only coordinate referrals to oncology services but can play a crucial role in successful fertility preservation referrals in cancer-diagnosed patients. Hence, it is important to assess their knowledge and attitudes towards fertility preservation. Methods: An eighteen-item oncofertility survey was administered to primary care physicians between May 2019 to September 2020. Results: A total of forty-six responses were received and analysed. About 60% of primary care physicians did not have adequate knowledge about available fertility preservation options and only 26-32% were aware of international guidelines recommending fertility preservation in cancer patients. Conclusions: Imparting awareness and knowledge of fertility preservation and its options to primary care physicians could enable an integrated cancer care model while also facilitating successful oncofertility referrals in countries like India.
