Oncofertility and informed consent: Addressing beliefs, values, and future decision making

Abstract

Imagine every parent's nightmareâ your sweet, vibrant daughter has just been diagnosed with cancer. The doctor is talking to you, but all you hear is "cancer" and all you can think about is the possibility that she may die. Now that the diagnosis is made, the doctor is anxious to begin treatment. He is describing the treatment, its benefits and burdens, and the schedule. Suddenly, though the "c-word" continues to buzz in your ears, you hear the side effects of treatment - hair loss, nausea, fatigue, weight loss, and infertility. "Infertility?! My baby may never be able to have babies?!" You have not yet processed the diagnosis, or come to terms with your child's mortality, and now this. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.