Factors associated with seeking western or Chinese medical treatment for fertility among women with breast cancer in Taiwan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To examine and describe the use of Western and Chinese Medicine for pregnancy preparation among women with breast cancer after cancer-related treatment in Taiwan.

METHODS

Women of reproductive age (20-49 years) women who were treated for breast cancer from January 2011 through June 2015 in a Taiwanese city participated in the study. Of 306 eligible study participants, interviews were completed in 197 (64%). Participants were asked about sociode-mographic variables, disease and treatment characteristics, their desire for fertility, and their use of Western or Chinese Medicine.

RESULTS

The proportions of women who planned to use Western or Chinese Medicine to help achieve pregnancy were 17.3% and 14.7%, respectively. The result of binary logistic regression showed that current employment and lack of children were factors predictive of the use of Western Medicine. Younger age and the use of Chinese Medicine before treatment were predictors of using Chinese Medicine. While the desire for fertility preservation was related to the use of Western Medicine, the desire for pregnancy was related to the use of Chinese Medicine.

CONCLUSION

Various characteristics guided the women's decisions to use Western or Chinese Medicine. Health care providers should learn patients' preferences for fertility preservation and provide appropriate advice, referring them to safe providers of their desired method of fertility treatment.