Reproductive Concerns Among Young Adult Women With Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objectives: Systemic cancer treatments pose threats to fertility, leading to concerns regarding fertility and parenthood in young adult women with breast cancer (YAWBC). This systematic review aimed to synthesize existing evidence on reproductive concerns (RCs) among YAWBC and identify areas where further research in needed. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Nine English and Chinese databases were searched for studies from inception to June 2023. A meta-analysis was employed to pool RC levels measured using the Reproductive Concerns After Cancer scale (RCAC scale; possible total scores: 18–90). Narrative synthesis was conducted in cases where a meta-analysis could not be performed. Results: Twenty-four cross-sectional studies across seven countries were included in this review. The prevalence of RCs among YAWBC ranged from 21.75% to 80%. The pooled mean total score on the overall RCAC scale was 55.84 (95% confidence interval: 53.26–58.43). “Personal health,” “child's health,” and “fertility potential” were the top three types of RCs among YAWBC. Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors were found to be associated with RCs among YAWBC. Additionally, significant correlations among RCs, nonadherence to treatment, depression, and quality of life were also identified among YAWBC. Conclusion: RCs are a common issue among YAWBC, and age, parenthood status, fertility desire, and chemotherapy treatment are important factors associated with RCs among these women. Further research is needed to clarify RC-related factors to provide evidence aimed at tailoring interventions to mitigate RCs among YWBC.