Disparities in access to fertility preservation among adolescents undergoing gonadotoxic therapies

Fertility preservation (FP) for adolescents prior to potentially gonadotoxic therapies is not accessible for all patients. Current literature acknowledges multiple barriers to FP, but research surrounding disparities for accessing these services is limited. We aimed to identify inequities in receiving FP services among adolescents undergoing gonadotoxic therapy.

A retrospective chart review was performed at a single academic medical center for patients aged 0–21 referred for FP counseling prior to gonadotoxic therapy. Exclusions included referral after treatment, prior to gender-affirming therapy, or for fertility discussion due to a genetic condition. Minority patients were defined as non-White race and/or Hispanic ethnicity. Non-minority patients were defined as White, non-Hispanic. Analyses to assess differences in receiving FP based on minority identity and insurance status were performed via logistic regression, with receiving desired care as the outcome variable.

Our cohort included 136 patients—38 minority and 98 non-minority. Forty-six (33.8%) patients had Medicaid, which did not differ between minority and non-minority (42.1% vs. 38.8%, P = .73). Most patients (83.1%) had a cancer diagnosis. Similar proportions of minority and non-minority patients had gonadotoxic treatment starting urgently (52.6% vs. 55.1%, P = .80), while more minority than non-minority patients desired FP (89.5% vs .77.5%, P = .10). When controlling for insurance type and age, minority participants were 12.8% less likely to receive desired FP (marginal effect =  − .128, P = .05).

This study identified significant inequities for minority populations in accessing FP. Further research is needed to determine how to make FP services more accessible to all patients, regardless of minority status.