Abstract

Viola and Ben, two pediatric oncology patients, need to undergo chemotherapy that might decrease their fertility. Both of them want to participate in the decisions related to their cancer treatment and fertility preservation. Should they be involved, and if so when and how?In many jurisdictions, children are not entitled to provide legally valid consent for medical decisions.1 As a result, others, usually parents, take on the role of surrogate decision-makers who act in their best interest. Still, it is important to keep in mind that the age limit for competence set by legislation does not necessarily coincide with children’s clinical decision-making capacity: some children may be able to make certain health-care...