Chronic Stress and Reproductive Function in Female Cancer Survivors
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effect of Chronic Stress on Reproductive Function in Female Cancer Survivors
IRAS ID
181237
Contact name
Richard A Anderson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
This pilot cohort study will examine the effect of chronic stress on reproductive function in a group of approximately 50 female cancer survivors. Women treated for cancer during their early reproductive years are at risk for infertility; however, not all cancer survivors experience these effects. Few predictors of these late effects have been identified. Girls and young women treated for cancer or leukaemia (including brain tumours) at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh will be asked to participate in the study. As part of their normal care, a blood sample to examine reproductive hormones will be collected (LH, FSH, E2, AMH). AMH, anti-Mullerian hormone, has recently been established as the most useful marker of what is known as 'ovarian reserve' (i.e. the number of remaining follicles/eggs within the ovary).
It is well known that stress impairs reproductive function through deregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (a major part of the neuroendocrine system that regulates the body's response to stress). Because higher levels of deregulation of the HPA axis have been observed in cancer survivors, we seek to investigate its potential influence on reproductive function in this population.
Potential subjects will be invited to participate during their annual follow-up visit. If they agree to participate, they will be asked to return to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children for a brief visit (30 minutes) at a convenient time. A demographic questionnaire and perceived stress questionnaire (PSS-10) will be administered. Hair/saliva samples will also be collected to measure cortisol and IL-6 (markers of chronic stress and inflammation).
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
15/SS/0111
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion