Partner Perspectives on Fertility Preservation

Dr. Teresa K. Woodruff, PhD, Allison Goetsch, MS, CGC, and graduate student Kendra Frome, BS, have designed this survey to capture information about the fertility preservation process from an often-overlooked perspective – that of the cancer patient’s partner. Obviously, a patient’s partner has an important stake in the outcome of any fertility preservation interventions, and a vital say in these decisions. The goal of this survey is to better understand the partner’s role and needs in the process of shared decision-making that includes healthcare providers, patients, and patients’ partners. Ultimately, the information gathered will be used to shape and improve the overall process for patients and their partners in the clinical setting.

“When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it not only effects their lives, but the lives of their family. Specifically, their partners are a crucial part of the cancer process, including the decision to pursue fertility preservation. Due to the lack of research on partners and their opinions, and also my personal high value of family, I wanted to reach out to the partners to help them become more involved in the entire healthcare process.” -Kendra Frome