Who should be offered sperm banking for fertility preservation? A survey of UK oncologists and haematologists

BACKGROUND: Fertility after cancer therapy is a significant quality-of-life concern for many patients, their partners and families. Authoritative guidance states that men whose fertility may be affected by impending therapies should be offered sperm banking. Yet some patients are not offered this opportunity and are thereby disadvantaged. We sought to understand oncologists' and haematologists' decision making concerning sperm-banking referrals.

DESIGN: We surveyed all oncologists and haematologists on the Royal College of Radiotherapists' Faculty of Oncology and British Society for Haematology circulation lists.

RESULTS: From 2357 across all specialties, 499 responses were received: 253 haematologists and 246 oncologists (21% response rate). Twenty-one percent of respondents were unaware of local policies on sperm banking and 42% considered that sperm banking should be offered to more patients. Respondents' decisions reveal either assumptions about patients' needs based on characteristics such as age, sexual orientation and severity of illness or the influence of their own moral conclusions upon their patients. The survey identified paucity of training for clinicians, information for patients and systematic recording of discussions about fertility.

CONCLUSIONS: A robust care infrastructure supporting male fertility storage is needed urgently to include targeted information for cancer clinicians and patients, identified individuals responsible for coordination and documentation of discussions with patients.