Research Discoveries Improving Sexual and Reproductive Health Communication Between Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Patients and Clinicians

The award, "Improving Sexual and Reproductive Health Communication Between Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Patients and Clinicians: A Patient-Centered Intervention," is a 5-year career development grant that will catalyze Dr. Frederick's career as a physician-researcher and will improve health-related communication for adolescent and young adults (AYAs) undergoing cancer treatment. Dr. Frederick is a Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist and Director of the Comprehensive Fertility and Sexual Health Team at Connecticut Children's, and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

Cancer treatment affects more than just tumors.

Nearly 60% of all AYAs undergoing cancer treatment report a need for sexual and reproductive health counseling. Unfortunately, this need is rarely met. For this project, Dr. Frederick will utilize stakeholder input from AYAs to develop, refine, and assess a novel AYAs-centered communication intervention to improve sexual and reproductive health conversations between AYAs and their oncology clinicians. The ultimate goal of Dr. Frederick's research is to increase AYAs access to critical sexual and reproductive health care and education across the cancer continuum. For this career award, she will be mentored by Dr. David Freyer (Children's Hospital Los Angeles), Dr. Gwendolynn Quinn (NYU Grossman School of Medicine) and Dr. Sharon Bober (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute).

Nearly 60% of all AYAs undergoing cancer treatment report a need for sexual and reproductive health counseling. Unfortunately, this need is rarely met.

Dr. Juan Salazar, Physician-in-Chief, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Leader of the Connecticut Children's Research Institute shares that "Sexual and reproductive health can be a significant issue for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) undergoing cancer treatment. Effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and certain surgeries can damage reproductive organs and cells. This can lead to temporary or permanent issues, including infertility, hormone imbalances, and sexual dysfunction.

While many AYAs with cancer report a need for more education on and clinical care of sexual health related issues, they rarely get the information and support that they need. Dr. Frederick's NIH-funded mentored K08 research will foster open and honest communication between cancer specialists and AYAs regarding the effects of cancer treatments on sexual and reproductive health and the best ways to approach the challenges associated with such therapies. Her research will provide a beacon of hope as AYAs undergo lifesaving therapies. Connecticut Children's Research Institute is proud to sponsor Dr. Frederick's innovative and vital research."

Congratulations to Dr. Frederick for this exciting award! We look forward to sharing updates as her important research progresses.

This research is supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number K08 CA286736. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.