A qualitative study of the information needs of premenopausal women with breast cancer in terms of contraception, sexuality, early menopause, and fertility

Objectives: To evaluate the information needed and received by premenopausal Turkish women with breast cancer regarding contraception, early menopause, infertility, fertility preservation, and sexuality. Methods: A qualitative exploratory methodology was used whereby an interviewer met on 2 occasions with women with breast cancer. The participants-who were recruited from the oncology clinic of Adnan Menderes University Hospital, Aydin, Turkey-were premenopausal, younger than 50 years of age, and had been diagnosed with breast cancer within the past year. Raw data were sorted under themes. Results: Premenopausal women with breast cancer received insufficient counseling on contraception, early menopause, infertility, fertility preservation, and sexuality, despite their willingness to receive information. Conclusion: In Turkey, premenopausal women with breast cancer should receive comprehensive information and counseling from oncology staff on the issues studied. The present study may guide future research on this topic. (C) 2010 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.