Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Although survival rates after cancer diagnosis and treatment continue to rise, the experience of cancer can pose challenges well into survivorship. Women of childbearing age who are diagnosed with cancer often express concern regarding the uncertainties of pregnancy after treatment. Unfortunately, there are limited resources to support women throughout the perinatal period. Women report a lack of information and resources regarding pregnancy after cancer, specifically deleterious effects of chemotherapy and radiation on egg quality and fetal development, birthing outcomes, and genetic concerns. This lack of information can cause significant distress. To better understand women's reproductive needs and concerns after cancer treatment, we propose to develop an online informational tool called an Information Decision Aid to increase access to important data regarding reproduction after cancer. To do so, we will conduct several focus groups (with healthcare providers, community partners, and women with a history of cancer) and complete a scoping review of the literature regarding the perinatal period after cancer. Our aim is to produce a unique, online resource that will be accessible to women and healthcare providers, and which will aid in reproductive decision making (e.g., foetal testing). We also hope that this resource helps to ease women's psychological burden of cancer by supporting them in their future goals and thus improving their overall quality of life after cancer.