Factors and pathways Influencing Fertility Anxiety in Reproductive-Age Male Cancer Patients: A Stress Process Theory Perspective.

Cancer can leave young men worried about whether they can ever become fathers. We asked 365 male patients in Shanxi what shaped these worries. Older, less-educated men with advanced or certain cancer types felt more fear, while those who already had children, earned more money or still wanted children felt calmer. Good social support, better coping skills and strong self-belief lowered fear, whereas avoidance or giving up made it worse. Doctors should offer emotional, social and practical help to ease these concerns.