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Chronic Stress And Reproductive Function In Female Childhood Cancer Survivors, Theresa Marie Hardy

Dissertations (1934 -)

Reproductive dysfunction is reported as a major concern for childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and is highly correlated with quality of life in this population. Few predictors of post-treatment reproductive function in CCS have been identified. CCS report high levels of psychological stress. Psychological stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which can disrupt reproductive function. The purpose of this exploratory study was to explore the relationship between perceived stress, biomarkers of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity, gonadotropin levels, and anti-Müllerian hormone levels in female CCS. This exploratory cross-sectional study included female cancer survivors (ages 16-35) treated for pediatric cancer at the Royal Hospital for Sick …