Objective To investigate the current status of empowerment level among young women with breast cancer, and analyze the correlation between empowerment level and fertility anxiety and fertility intention.

Methods A total of 168 young female patients with breast cancer from June 2020 to May 2023 were selected as the survey subjects, and the patients were investigated using the general information questionnaire, breast cancer empowerment scale, post-cancer childbirth anxiety scale and breast cancer survivor's childbearing willingness scale. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyzes were used to screen the influencing factors of the empowerment level of young female breast cancer patients, and Pearson analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the empowerment level and fertility anxiety and fertility intention.

Results The empowerment level score, fertility anxiety score and fertility intention score in 168 young female breast cancer patients were (72.55 ± 8.65) points, (60.37 ± 9.45) points and (46.78 ± 6.28) points, respectively. The education level, family economic status, presence of caregivers and occurrence of complications were the influencing factors of the empowerment level of young female breast cancer patients (P ＜ 0.05 to P ＜ 0.01). There was a positive correlation between fertility intention and empowerment level, and a negative correlation with fertility anxiety (P ＜ 0.05 to P ＜ 0.01). There was a negative correlation between empowerment level and fertility worry (P ＜ 0.05 to P ＜ 0.01).

Conclusions At present, the low fertility intention of young female breast cancer patients can no longer be ignored. Medical staff should take corresponding measures to enhance the empowerment level of patients, reduce fertility worries, proactively provide patients with information and emotional support, and advocate healthy fertility concepts to protect fertility.