Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care/methods , Medical Oncology/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Young AdultABSTRACT
Little is known about oncology provider recommendations regarding best practices in contraception use during cancer treatment and through survivorship for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients. This review examined the literature to identify related studies on contraception recommendations, counseling discussions, and methods of contraception in the AYA oncology population. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, including all peer-reviewed journals with no publication date exclusions. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using combinations of the following phrases or keywords: "oncology OR cancer" AND "contraception, family planning, contraceptive devices, contraceptive agents, intrauterine devices OR IUD, vaccines, spermatocidal agents, postcoital, immunologic, family planning, vasectomy, tubal ligation, sterilization" AND "young adult OR adolescent" AND "young adult AND adolescent". Reviewers assessed articles using the "Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies" which considers: (1) selection bias; (2) study design; (3) confounders; (4) blinding; (5) data collection methods; and (6) withdrawals and dropouts. A total of five articles were included and all studies were quantitative. Results showed no consistent recommendations among providers, references to guidelines, or methods of contraceptive types. Provider guidelines for discussions with AYA patients should be expanded to provide comprehensive, consistent, and quality cancer care in the AYA population.
Subject(s)
Contraception Behavior , Contraception/methods , Counseling , Neoplasms/therapy , Adolescent , Fertility , Humans , Sexual Behavior , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cancer care for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) focuses on the care of patients aged 15 to 39 years. Historically, this group has favorable outcomes based on a preponderance of diagnoses such as thyroid cancers and Hodgkin lymphoma. Improvements in outcomes among the AYA population have lagged behind compared with younger and older populations. METHODS: We discuss and review recent progress in AYA patient care and highlight remaining disparities that exist, including financial disadvantages, need for fertility care, limited clinical trial availability, and other areas of evolving AYA-focused research. RESULTS: Survival rates have not improved for this age group as they have for children and older adults. Disparities are present in the AYA population and have contributed to this lack of progress. CONCLUSIONS: Recognizing disparities in the care of AYAs with cancer has led many medical specialty disciplines to improve the lives of these patients through advocacy, education, and resource development. Research addressing barriers to clinical trial enrollment in this population, quality-of-life issues, and the improvement of survivorship care is also under way.
