Misconceptions and beliefs around hormone replacement therapy after childhood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A qualitative study among women leukemia survivors

PURPOSE: After childhood leukemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, hormone replacement therapy is often required to induce puberty because of premature ovarian insufficiency. Observance of this kind of treatment in adolescents and young women seems quite poor, and literature about its acceptance remains scarce; in order to learn about their experience and to better understand their attitude towards hormone replacement therapy, we used qualitative methods. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: 13 young women childhood cancer survivors completed an individual interview. RESULTS: We report that the negative experience of leukemia may cause rejection of the treatment, closely related to infertility unacceptance. Misconceptions and lack of adequate information of hormonal treatment effects are also major barriers to a good compliance. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Observance of hormone replacement therapy for young women childhood cancer survivors can be improved with a confidential patient-physician relationship, patient education, choice of galenic formulation according to personal preference, and psychological support during the long-time follow up.