Parenthood in young cancer survivors is more than a combination of motivation and capacity

Abstract

Schmidt et al. (2016) recently reviewed published literature on the reproductive intentions and parenthood motivations of cancer survivors. The authors highlight cancer survivors’ incentives for entering parenthood and concerns about having children post-diagnosis. This welcome addition to the literature on parenthood in survivors of cancer in adolescence and young adulthood throws into sharp relief an important gap in current research: the experiences of cancer survivors who do become parents after cancer diagnosis. Between 1998 and 2004, the relative survival rate for Australians aged 12–24 years diagnosed with cancer was 85% (AIHW 2011). In theory, most of these young survivors had many years to consider and/or become parents. In our recent study of young people’s experiences of ‘Growing up with Cancer’ (Lewis et al. 2013), we heard from two women who became mothers despite being told by their oncologist that they were infertile as a result of cancer treatment. They described parenthood as a positive experience, helping them find purpose in a life that had been destabilised by cancer, ‘motherhood gave me something more to look forward to in life. It’s also helping me to actually want to get on track’ (Lewis 2013). We also know from our research that some young cancer survivors face lifelong challenges managing the ongoing effects of illness and treatment including chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and the ever present apprehension of relapse or a second cancer.