Adoption as an Alternative Family-Building Strategy: Perceptions of Female, Young Adult Cancer Survivors Receiving Gonadotoxic Treatments

J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2024 Apr 8. doi: 10.1089/jayao.2023.0143. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Female survivors of young adult (YA) cancers are at risk of fertility impacts following cancer treatment. For these women, fertility-related distress is both prevalent and persistent. Yet there is little research regarding survivors' perspectives on alternative family-building options, particularly adoption. This exploratory secondary data analysis analyzed semistructured interviews and explored survivors' views of adoption. Overall, female YA survivors reported openness to adoption as a possible substitute for biological conception and an alternative to fertility preservation. It is imperative that this population receives support in decision-making around and consideration of the unique barriers to adoption for cancer survivors.

Keywords: adoption; fertility preservation; oncofertility; qualitative.