Abstract: Objective · To explore the perceptions and current practice barriers of Chinese physicians who engage in cancer diagnosis and treatment third-grade Class A hospitals regarding cancer patients perceptions of fertility preservation (FP). Methods · A study was conducted in physicians 4 third-grade Class A hospitals with different clinical specialties assisting cancer patients through a structured self-report questionnaire between January 2017 and December 2017. A total of 179 medical oncologists, 77 radiation oncologists and 79 surgeons were included. Their information on gender, age, title, education background and perceptions of FP was obtained. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the correlation between the recommendation of FP and risk factors. Results · There were 335 physicians, including 88 male physicians and 247 female physicians, with an average age of (35.94±6.27) years (range 23-59 years) in the current study. Although 96.4% of the physicians knew that chemotherapy and radiation had a profound effect on impairment of fertility and 85.1% of them thought it was necessary to recommend FP, only 28.1% of them gave FP-related recommendations to the cancer patients. The oncologists and surgeons, female physicians, and those with higher professional titles and education background were more likely to make the FP recommendation. Among 63.3% of the physicians knowing male FP, only 37.9% and 21.2% of them noted the exact methods and place for FP, respectively. Similarly, for the 65.1% of the physicians knowing female FP, the percentage was 49.9% and 24.5%, respectively. When it came to the barriers of FP decision-making, 32.8% of the oncologists reported their concerns on whether cancer patients were suito reproduce. Secondly, the physicians honestly admitted that they lacked expertise in FP and worried about that FP would delay cancer treatment. Conclusion · Physicians who engage in cancer diagnosis and treatment lack the awareness and knowledge background of FP recommendation for cancer patients. It is important to improve the perceptions of cancer patients’ FP through standardize training.

Key words: cancer, physician, fertility preservation, perception, questionnaire