Women in their reproductive years, ages 14 through 44, account for 15% of all breast cancer cases in the United States (Tomao et al, 2010). The 5-year survival rate for women diagnosed during these years is on average 85% (“Cancer Survival by Age”, 2014). Breast cancer treatment often leads to infertility (Tomao et al, 2010). Therefore, many survivors will become infertile without reaching their desired family size. Unfortunately, prior studies reveal low patient awareness of the infertility risks associated with cancer treatment until after they have completed treatment (Crawshaw et al, 2009). This suggests a potential decrease in quality of life once they enter remission. This paper outlines the process of developing a survey for original data collection among women in Pennsylvania who are registered as breast cancer survivors and who were diagnosed during their reproductive years. The central focus of the study is whether breast cancer treatment and remission is associated with a change in family size expectations among pre-menopausal women and if this is associated with the information a woman receives before she begins treatment. Additionally, we will be asking if the change in family size expectations pre and post-treatment are associated with feelings of regret, satisfaction or depression. Questions are taken largely from surveys focused on medical decision making. An original conceptual model is developed.

Citation Format: Angela Gale Campbell, Marianne Hillemeier, Roger Anderson. The association between breast cancer treatment decisions, fertility and emotional well-being among premenopausal women: An original data collection. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Seventh AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 9-12, 2014; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A33.

©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.
2015