Information on Fertility Preservation

I think it’s important as a clinician to have a better understanding of the patient and his family’s understanding of fertility concerns.  If they did not have an understanding, as in this video, I would start with the basics. I would explain the risks of treatment on his future fertility as well as the basics on sperm banking.  I would then give the patient and the family time to digest the information presented so that they could formulate questions if they had any.  Handouts could be helpful, I also think a list of websites may be more pertinent to the AYA patient so that they can find good information on the internet.   I would then schedule another appointment, whether it’s later that day or the following days, with them to discuss their questions or concerns.  Asking them to make a decision on fertility preservation without having time to synthesis the information is not fair to the patient or his family.