Contraceptive use by women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer

Chemotherapeutic agents are known to be potentially teratogenic. In view of the increasing use of chemotherapy in young sexually active and potentially fertile women, we performed a study of contraceptive use and advice given to women prior to starting chemotherapy for breast cancer. A questionnaire was mailed to 183 patients and was returned, completed, by 165 (90%). The results showed that 14 premenopausal women, 5 of whom were sexually active, did not use any form of contraception during chemotherapy. Twenty-one per cent of patients received contraceptive advice prior to chemotherapy and 30% reported that they would have liked more advice. It is apparent that women are receiving relatively little information on contraceptive measures before undergoing treatment with chemotherapy. Levels of awareness of health care professionals need to be increased, and relevant hospital booklets should be produced or updated in light of the findings of this study.