Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, Vol 24, No 5 (September-October), 2007: pp 255-263 255 Pediatric Oncology Nurses’ Attitudes Related to Discussing Fertility Preservation With Pediatric Cancer Patients and Their Families Susan T. Vadaparampil, PhD Heather Clayton, MPH Gwendolyn P. Quinn, PhD Lindsey M. King, BA Michael Nieder, MD Crystal Wilson © 2007 by Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses DOI: 10.1177/1043454207303878 This study explores nurses’attitudes toward the dis- cussion of fertility preservation (FP) with pediatric cancer patients and their families. A cross- sectional survey was administered to attendees of a pediatric oncology conference. Of the 115 nurses who responded and comprised the study sample, most reported discussing risks of infertility or FP ≤ 50% of the time. The 3 attitudinal factors most commonly rated by nurses to influence discussion of FP are the potential of upsetting patients’ families, that boys younger than 18 years should not be given erotic mate- rials during semen collection, and difficulty locating FP facilities. The 3 patient factors most likely to encourage the discussion of FP are the patient being recently married or engaged, the patient asking about FP, and availability of patient education materials. While the results indicate that nurses do not regularly discuss FP with their patients, nurses perceive such discussion as being within their scope of practice. Therefore, with appropriate intervention, nurses may play a key role in facilitating discussions regarding FP with patients and families. Key words: fertility preservation, nurses, pediatric cancer patients, survey, attitudes W hile cancer during childhood is relatively rare, it is one of the leading causes of death among chil- dren younger than 15 years of age (National Cancer Institute, 2002; Stiller, 2004). Fortunately, the survival rates for pediatric cancers have continuously improved over the past few decades, and currently, it is estimated Susan T. Vadaparampil, PhD, is an assistant professor at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, Tampa, Florida, and the University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Tampa. Heather Clayton, MPH, is a research intern at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, Tampa, Florida. Gwendolyn P. Quinn, PhD, is an assistant professor at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, Tampa, Florida, and the University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Tampa. Lindsey M. King, BA, is a research associate at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, Tampa, Florida. Michael Nieder, MD, is the director of the Bone and Marrow Transplant Program at All Children’s Hospital,St Petersburg, Florida. Crystal Wilson is a research intern at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, Tampa, Florida. Address for correspondence: Susan T. Vadaparampil, 12902 Magnolia Drive, MRC-CANCONT, Tampa, FL 33612; e-mail: susan.vadaparampil@moffitt.org.