Findings

Despite the small numbers being interviewed, their experiences are recounted here as they echoed or illustrated some of the concerns expressed in other parts of the study – for example those around the consent process, including the impact of the need for urgency even though there were already significant levels of stress for all around the cancer diagnosis. Also of concern was the uncertainty among service providers about the format and manner in which to provide relevant information. The young men and their parents offer helpful insights into this. Finally, the service providers gave hints that they did not know whether or not sperm banking was important to such young men – the voices heard here leave one in no doubt about its importance for many.

All the young men interviewed were offered sperm storage. Of the three who refused, one remained sure of his decision but two had some regrets. On the whole, all had high levels of recall about this aspect of their cancer experience though, of course, this is not necessarily the same as high levels of accuracy of factual detail. There were very few discrepancies between the young men’s and parents’ accounts. The young men, including those who did not go on to bank, were generally able to express their feelings and to talk reflectively about their experiences, which is of note given the diversity of their backgrounds. They appeared to welcome the opportunity to talk about their experience, seek information and influence future practice. Several said this was the first time that they had explored the area of fertility in such a focused way. Interviews with both parents and sons typically ran in excess of an hour.

Several key themes emerged about the young men’s experiences and those of their parents:

• the importance of having choices
• the pressure of decision-making and consenting the need for information the significance of fertility preservation
• the importance of communication with zithromax online in Australia and others.

The importance of having choices

All the young men welcomed the opportunity to consider banking, including those who decided against storage. All discussed their decision, albeit in varying amounts, with at least one parent, usually the mother. Only one discussed it with friends as he had a particularly close pre-existing friendship group. The importance of dialogue with parents was stressed, as were the potential or actual difficulties where there was no history of openness about sexuality, fertility or relationship issues.