TOKYO — Researchers at Hiroshima University have created and validated a survey-based scale designed to evaluate nursing practices that support fertility preservation (FP) decision-making among women undergoing cancer treatment in Japan.

The study, published in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing on Dec. 2, highlights the lack of standardized tools to assess nursing support for FP, despite rising recognition of fertility preservation as a critical issue in cancer care.

“Although fertility preservation is increasingly recognized as an important issue in cancer care, nursing support for FP decision-making has remained inconsistent and poorly standardized,” said Kazuaki Tanabe, professor at the Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences and corresponding author of the study. “Nurses are often the first healthcare professionals to interact with patients, and insufficient or delayed support can result in women missing the opportunity to preserve their fertility during cancer treatment.”

The team conducted a literature review in Japanese and English to identify best practices and cultural considerations, then refined draft items through expert panels. The finalized scale was tested across 450 institutions within Japan’s national cancer control framework.

Responses from 282 participants were used for exploratory factor analysis, while 318 were analyzed through confirmatory factor analysis. The resulting 12-item scale captured three dimensions of nursing practice: professional decision-support, facilitation of communication between patients and families, and system- and team-based collaboration.

“The next step is to apply this scale in clinical practice and nursing education to identify strengths and gaps in fertility preservation support,” Tanabe said. “Ultimately, the goal is to improve the quality and consistency of nursing support, foster interprofessional collaboration, and ensure that women with cancer can make informed, value-based decisions about their reproductive future.”

The research team included Mikako Yoshihara, Chie Teramoto, Hiroyuki Sawatari, Ruxin Lei, and Hisae Nakatani.