Ariana Orlić

  Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences | Bachelor European Public Health

Improving Fertility Preservation for Male Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review of Barriers and Facilitators

Ariana's elevator pitch
Up to a third of men lose their fertility after cancer treatment, which negatively impacts their quality of life. Still, there is a significant underutilisation of fertility preservation despite recent advancements. My thesis provides an overview of research on factors influencing fertility preservation in male cancer patients, both from the patient and healthcare provider perspective. Using a theoretical framework, the results show a range of intersecting personal, environmental and clinical factors influencing patients' and providers' decision-making. Recommendations to overcome barriers include formalised care pathways and a multidisciplinary team, with the support of EU guidelines integrated within the EU cancer frameworks.