Factors associated with reproductive concerns among young female patients with colorectal cancer: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of reproductive concerns among young female patients with colorectal cancer and explore the associated factors.

Background: With the trend of longer survival and younger age at diagnosis of colorectal cancer patients, reproductive concerns have become increasingly prevalent among young female colorectal cancer patients.

Design: Cross-sectional design.

Methods: The study included 150 young female patients with colorectal cancer who completed cancer treatment at 2 hospitals in Guangzhou, China, between November 2020 and December 2021 completed an investigation comprising A general questionnaire, The Reproductive Concerns After Cancer scale, The Family Adaptation and Cohesion Evaluation Scale II and unmet fertility information needs questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed in order to identify factors that influence reproductive concerns. This study was prepared and is reported according to the STROBE checklist.

Results: The mean (SD) score on the Reproductive Concerns After Cancer scale was 54.78 ± 8.97. The highest score was for the children's health subscale (3.84 ± .92) and the lowest was for acceptance (2.24 ± .70). Multiple regression analysis showed that patients with fewer children, female children, lower education level (less than undergraduate degree), earlier disease stage, lower family function and higher unmet need for fertility information had more reproductive concerns, which explained 26.9% of the total variation of the model.

Conclusions: The patients with fewer children, female children, low cultural degree (less than bachelor), early clinical patients, poorer family function and higher unmet fertility information needs had higher reproductive concerns.

Relevance to clinical practice: These findings can guide the development of interventions to mitigate reproductive concerns, including understand and meet their fertility information needs, improve the level of family function.

Patient or public contribution: Survey questionnaires were completed by participants among young female with colorectal cancer in this study.

Keywords: colorectal cancer; reproductive concerns; young female.