Challenge
Medical advances in the field of oncology have significantly increased survival rates among people diagnosed with cancer. However, commonly used treatments —such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy— can have a harmful effect on reproductive capacity, especially in young women. To address this situation, fertility preservation for medical reasons has been part of the public health system’s service portfolio since 2014, and in 2023, a specific protocol was approved to regulate access and ensure territorial equity. However, there was a lack of information about how patients experience this process: the quality and timing of the information they receive, the coordination between healthcare teams, emotional support, and the psychological impact of preserving fertility in an oncological context.
Response
To address this, Spora conducted a qualitative study commissioned by the Department of Health with the aim of exploring the experience of women who have preserved fertility after an oncological diagnosis within the public health system.
To do this, a series of in-depth interviews were conducted, which allowed for the reconstruction of their experiences across three key moments: access to preservation techniques, the post-preservation period, and the later use of vitrified oocytes through assisted reproduction techniques.
At the same time, Spora has produced a report with useful recommendations aimed at healthcare professionals, to improve the assisted reproduction care model, strengthen coordination between services, and integrate emotional support as an integral part of the fertility preservation process for oncology patients.
