Experiences of cohabiting partners of women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: When a pregnant woman is diagnosed with cancer, she faces complex and unique challenges while navigating both obstetric and oncological care. Despite often being the primary support for women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy (CDP), little is known about the experiences of their partners. We undertook an in-depth exploration of the experiences of partners of women diagnosed with CDP in Australia. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with partners of women diagnosed with CDP treated in Australia. Interviews explored partners' inclusion in decision making and communication with health professionals and their own coping experiences. Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Data from interviews with 12 male partners (N = 12) of women diagnosed with CDP were analysed. Two unique themes relevant to partners were identified: 'Partners require support to adjust to changing roles and additional burdens' and 'Treating the couple as a team facilitates agency and coping, but partners' needs are placed second by all'. CONCLUSION: Partners of women diagnosed with CDP commonly experience unique stressors and a substantial shift in previously established roles across multiple domains including medical advocacy, household coordination and parenting. Partners' coping is interlinked with how the woman diagnosed with CDP is coping. Inclusion of partners in treatment decisions and communications, and considering partners' wellbeing alongside that of the woman with CDP, is likely to be supportive for partners. In turn, this is likely to enhance the quality of support that women diagnosed with CDP receive from their partners.

Fertility considerations prior to conservative management of gynecologic cancers.

Fertility-sparing management of early-stage gynecologic cancers is becoming more prevalent as increasing evidence demonstrates acceptable oncologic and reproductive outcomes in appropriately selected patients. However, in the absence of randomized controlled trials, most of the commonly used treatment algorithms are based only on observational studies. As women are increasingly postponing childbearing, the need for evidence-based guidance on the optimal selection of appropriate candidates for fertility-sparing therapies is paramount. It is imperative to seriously consider the fertility potential of a given individual prior to making major oncologic treatment decisions that may deviate from the accepted standard of care. It is a disservice to patients to undergo a fertility-sparing procedure in hopes of ultimately achieving a live birth, only to determine later they have poor baseline fertility potential or other substantial barriers to conception including excess financial toxicity. Many women with oncologic diagnoses are of advanced maternal age and their obstetric and neonatal risks must be considered. In the era of advanced assisted reproductive technologies, patients should be provided realistic expectations regarding success rates while understanding the potential oncologic perils. A multidisciplinary approach to the conservative treatment of early-stage gynecologic cancers with early referral to reproductive specialists as well as maternal-fetal medicine specialists is warranted. In this review, we discuss the recommended fertility evaluation for patients with newly diagnosed, early-stage gynecologic cancers who are considering fertility-sparing management.

Psychological Aspects of Pregnancy and Lactation in Patients with Breast Cancer.

Young breast cancer patients face numerous challenges during the cancer trajectory. As in the last decade, women tend to delay pregnancies to a later time in life, and clinicians are often faced with young breast cancer patients who want to start a family or complete it. Becoming a mother is a delicate developmental process in which the woman redefines and restructures her identity as she gets prepared for her new role and responsibilities. When there is a history of cancer or cancer diagnosis is communicated during the pregnancy, fears, worries, and concerns emerge and specific support may be necessary. Follow-ups during the post-partum period are also recommended as lactation issues should not be overlooked. In this chapter, we analyze the psychological aspects of cancer survivors and women with pregnancy-associated breast cancer, and the management of these issues.

Psychological aspects of gestational cancer: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Gestational cancer is defined as any type of cancer diagnosed during pregnancy or within 12 months of delivery. To date, existing studies on the psychological aspects of this type of cancer have not been evaluated for methodological quality. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the psychological aspects of gestational cancer. METHODS: Five journal databases were searched to identify peer-reviewed articles reporting upon the psychological aspects of women with gestational cancer. Studies published from journal inception to December 2019 were included, and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The Mixed-Method Appraisal Bias Tool was used, to assess the methodological quality of the studies. A narrative description was developed for the psychological outcomes reported in quantitative studies. Qualitative data was synthesized using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Five papers were eligible for inclusion (two qualitative and three quantitative studies). Factors that contributed to women's psychological distress during gestational cancer included disease characteristics, sociodemographic factors, the baby's health, pregnancy-related factors and cognitive emotion regulation. Four main themes emerged from the qualitative studies; concerns about the baby's health, lost opportunities, "not fitting in," and healthcare decision-making. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that (a) women with gestational cancer experience psychological distress that is associated with concerns about their babies' health, and (b) their healthcare experiences are affected by communication within multidisciplinary care teams.

Being a mother after a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy: Maternal psychosocial functioning and child cognitive development and behavior.

OBJECTIVE: Up to 51.5% of women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy experience trauma (eg, intrusive thoughts, avoidance) and 20% report anxiety. Maternal anxiety can negatively affect child behavior among the noncancer population. This study aims to elucidate relationships between maternal distress, parenting style, and child behavior and development among women with cancer during pregnancy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study of child cognitive, language and motor development analyze child behavior in the context of maternal psychosocial well-being after a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy. A subset of women (N = 69) enrolled in the Cancer and Pregnancy Registry, had children undergo developmental testing. The majority underwent Bayley Scales III (children 6-42 months of age; 0-3.5 years) to assess language, cognitive, and motor performance. Women completed the Basic Symptom Inventory, Impact of Events Scale, Parent Behavior Checklist, and Child Behavioral Checklist. Maternal and child assessments were performed concurrently. RESULTS: Sixty-nine women and 71 children (2 sets of twins) ages 6 months to 12 years participated. Maternal depressive and somatic symptoms were associated with more externalizing behaviors. Among younger children (0-3.5 years), maternal somatic symptoms were associated with poorer language performance. Moderation analysis showed that mothers with fewer somatic symptoms and utilization of less discipline had children with less externalizing behaviors and higher language scores (ie, stronger verbal ability). CONCLUSIONS: Given the interplay of psychosocial factors on child behavior and development, findings highlight the importance of early screening and psychosocial intervention and support for mothers diagnosed with cancer in pregnancy.

[Cancer during pregnancy: between medicalization and desire for motherhood.] / Tumori in gravidanza: tra medicalizzazione e desiderio di maternità.

Neoplasms that arise during pregnancy or within the first year of childbirth are rare events, the occurrence of which, however, tends to increase due to the advancement of the age of reproduction. The simultaneous manifestation of the two events determines in the woman a deep distress due partly to oncological treatments and partly to the woman's wish to experience the "normality of pregnancy". Anxiety, depressive thoughts and fear of the illness reoccurring are all elements that increase the ambivalences that are normally associated with pregnancy. The dedicated healthcare professionals must guarantee a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, custom-made for the woman specifically, and for her family, during her path through pregnancy and illness.

Pregnancy and Cancer: the INCIP Project.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cancer diagnosis in young pregnant women challenges oncological decision-making. The International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP) aims to build on clinical recommendations based on worldwide collaborative research. RECENT FINDINGS: A pregnancy may complicate diagnostic and therapeutic oncological options, as the unborn child must be protected from potentially hazardous exposures. Pregnant patients should as much as possible be treated as non-pregnant patients, in order to preserve maternal prognosis. Some approaches need adaptations when compared with standard treatment for fetal reasons. Depending on the gestational age, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are possible during pregnancy. A multidisciplinary approach is the best guarantee for experience-driven decisions. A setting with a high-risk obstetrical unit is strongly advised to safeguard fetal growth and health. Research wise, the INCIP invests in clinical follow-up of children, as cardiac function, neurodevelopment, cancer occurrence, and fertility theoretically may be affected. Furthermore, parental psychological coping strategies, (epi)genetic alterations, and pathophysiological placental changes secondary to cancer (treatment) are topics of ongoing research. Further international research is needed to provide patients diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy with the best individualized management plan to optimize obstetrical and oncological care.

Motherhood during or after breast cancer diagnosis: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the process of becoming a mother in women who experienced a breast cancer diagnosis (BC). In this qualitative study, we investigated maternal representations in pregnant women with experience of BC and those with no oncological history. METHODS: A total of 38 women were recruited, 19 women who experienced a BC diagnosis and 19 who had not. To explore maternal representations, semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed through thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified: fears and worries, meaning of motherhood, mother-foetus relationship and partner support. Across themes, differences between primiparous and multiparous are reported. Women with gestational breast cancer (GBC) described fear for their own and their child's survival. Women with previous BC recall contrasting emotions. All women with experience of BC perceived breastfeeding as fundamental and inability to do so provoked worry. Relationship with the partner was considered central, while healthy women were projected towards the future triadic relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Finding a mental space during pregnancy for the representation of the future child could be hard for women with GBC. Dissimilarities in the experience of motherhood in cancer patients provide insight into psychological aspects that should be taken into account in clinical practice.

Exploring differences in psychological aspects during pregnancy between cancer survivors and women without a history of cancer.

Young cancer survivors often wish to bear a child after oncological treatments, as they might not have started or completed their families. As young cancer survivors have a higher risk of developing psychological difficulties, this study investigated whether there were significant differences in psychological aspects between pregnant women who received a cancer diagnosis in the past and pregnant women without a history of cancer. A total of 123 pregnant women, of which 36 were cancer survivors and 87 women without a history of cancer, were recruited during their last trimester at different hospitals in Northern Italy. Patients were asked to complete a socio-demographic profile and questionnaires measuring mood states, post-traumatic symptoms, centrality of the pregnancy and cancer event, quality of life, and prenatal attachment. Cancer survivors had significantly higher levels of PTSD symptoms, perceived pregnancy as more central to their identity and life story, perceived lower quality of life and had lower intensity of prenatal attachment compared with the control group. Centrality of the cancer event did not correlate with any psychological variables. Preliminary results suggest that a past cancer diagnosis can influence the mother's psychological functioning and the development of the relationship with their child.

Experience of Japanese pregnant women with cancer in decision-making regarding cancer treatment and obstetric care.

AIM: Women who are diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy must make difficult, life-changing decisions that affect their own life and that of their fetus. The psychological impact of distress and anxiety resulting from facing often conflicting choices can greatly influence survival in these women. We conducted this study to clarify the experience of pregnant women with cancer in decision-making and to consider the role of nurses in providing care to pregnant women with cancer during their decision-making. METHODS: This qualitative study included post-partum Japanese women diagnosed with cancer who had made any treatment or pregnancy decisions. Data collection was conducted using semi-structured interviews and medical record review. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and classified into subcategories, categories, themes, and phases. RESULTS: Participants comprised eight women with leukemia and cervical, breast, and digestive cancers. The decision-making experiences of these eight pregnant women with cancer were categorized into three phases: the interaction between the woman and her fetus, family members, and medical staff; confrontation with dilemma and uncertainty; and redefinition of the women's own decisions. CONCLUSIONS: The experience of Japanese pregnant women with cancer in decision-making has two aspects: verbal and nonverbal communication with their surroundings and reflection. The role of a nurse is to guarantee these women continuous communication channels and frank dialogue, to empower them in expressing their thoughts and informational needs to medical staff and family members.

Health-related quality of life in pregnancy with uterine fibroid: a cross-sectional study in China.

BACKGROUND: Uterine fibroids (UFs) are the most common benign tumors in women. They are likely to cause numerous clinical symptoms, such as pain, menorrhagia, and other obstetric complications in pregnant women. This study aimed to determine the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during pregnancy with uterine fibroids (UF), thus providing a utility-based case value in pregnant women with UF and understanding of whether HRQoL is associated with clinical outcomes in pregnant women with UFs. METHOD: This study was conducted in a cross-sectional manner. This study was based on questionnaire surveys completed by sequential out- and in-patients and was conducted in a regional university hospital in Guangzhou, China. The EuroQoL five-dimension-five-level (EQ-5D-5 L) questionnaire was used, and demographic data were collected. An electronic record of the clinical outcomes of pregnant women with UF was retrieved from the hospital's electronic medical record system. The association between UF and HRQoL was evaluated by ordered regression. RESULTS: Seven-hundred-sixty-seven pregnant women with a mean age (SD) of 32.7 (4.8) years completed 707 questionnaires. Overall, when comparing the UF with non-UF groups, we detected statistical differences in age, body mass index (BMI), gravidity and abortion times, partner's smoking and alcoholic habits, advanced maternal age, and uterine scars (p <  0.05). Furthermore, pregnant women without UF scored significantly higher than those with UF on the EQ-5D value system (0.84 versus 0.79; p = 0.017). Moreover, pregnant women with UF suffered more health-related problems, especially with respect to self-care (odds ratio [OR] = 3.69, p <  0.01) and usual activity dimensions (OR = 2.11; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: We found that UF has a negative impact on the HRQoL of pregnant women with respect to self-care and usual activity dimensions. Also, the EQ-5D score was a better index than the EQ-VAS score for HRQoL when evaluating of the QoL of our population of pregnant women.

[Desire for pregnancy and breast cancer]. / Désir de grossesse et cancer du sein.

Breast cancer affects about 3,000 new women of childbearing age each year. The desire for pregnancy is therefore a frequent issue in the management of breast cancer. We reviewed the current state of knowledge and recommendations in high-risk women, on the consideration of this desire for pregnancy in therapeutic management, the way to approach it, the preservation of fertility in the care process and finally on the outcomes of pregnancy after breast cancer. We evaluated the desire for pregnancy, qualitatively and quantitatively, after breast cancer through a literature review.

Psychological issues and construction of the mother-child relationship in women with cancer during pregnancy: a perspective on current and future directions.

BACKGROUND: Cancer during pregnancy is a rare event. However, knowledge about treatment has progressed in recent years with improved maternal and neonatal outcomes. The number of women who decide to continue their pregnancy and undergo cancer treatment is increasing. MAIN BODY: Women face two critical events simultaneously; oncological illness and pregnancy, with different and conflicting emotions. In addition, the last trimester of gestation sets the ground for construction of the mother-child relationship, which is of great importance for the child's development. Studies have showed that maternal exposure to stressful events during pregnancy is linked to adverse outcomes in children. Although several authors consider cancer to be a 'critical life event', studies that address the psychosocial implications of cancer in expecting mothers are scarce. There are no studies addressing the possible negative impact of a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy on the mother-child relationship and on the child's development. It is important to emphasize the need for in-depth knowledge of the contributing psychological factors involved in order to provide holistic, individualised, and supportive care. CONCLUSION: An analysis of cognitive aspects, emotional processes, and maternal attachment in cases of cancer during pregnancy may contribute to the development of a model of care, both in an evolutionary and in a psycho-oncology context, with implications for clinical practice.

Controversies about fertility and pregnancy issues in young breast cancer patients: current state of the art.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: For trying to help physicians in counseling their young patients with breast cancer interested in fertility preservation and future reproductive plans, this manuscript aims to perform an overview of the main available data on 10 controversies in this field. RECENT FINDINGS: Thanks to the improvement in patients' prognosis, a growing attention towards fertility and pregnancy issues has been given over the past years and is currently provided to young breast cancer patients. However, several grey zones persist in many domains of this field and some physicians are still uncomfortable to deal with these issues. SUMMARY: Despite the great number of breast cancer patients experiencing fertility and pregnancy concerns at the time of diagnosis, the pursuit of fertility preserving strategies is realized only for a small proportion of them. The lack of adequate oncofertility counseling at the time of anticancer treatment decisions and the high costs of fertility preserving procedures can be considered the main explanations for these findings. The several ongoing registries and prospective studies investigating fertility and pregnancy issues in young breast cancer patients are crucial to acquire more robust data and try to address and solve the still unmet controversies in this field.

Psychological distress and cognitive coping in pregnant women diagnosed with cancer and their partners.

OBJECTIVE: A cancer diagnosis during pregnancy may be considered as an emotional challenge for pregnant women and their partners. We aimed to identify women and partners at risk for high levels of distress based on their coping profile. METHODS: Sixty-one pregnant women diagnosed with cancer and their partners filled out the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) and the newly constructed Cancer and Pregnancy Questionnaire (CPQ). K-means cluster analysis was performed on the CERQ scales. Scores on the CPQ were compared between the women and their partners and between the CERQ-clusters. RESULTS: Comparison of women and partners on the CPQ did not reveal significant differences on distress about the child's health, the cancer disease, and the pregnancy or on information satisfaction (P = .16, P = .44, P = .50, and P = .47, respectively). However, women were more inclined to maintain the pregnancy than their partners (P = .011). Three clusters were retrieved based on the CERQ scales, characterized by positive coping, internalizing coping, and blaming. Women and partners using internalizing strategies had significantly higher scores on concerns about the child's health (P = .039), the disease and treatment (P < .001), and the pregnancy and delivery (P = .009) compared with positive and blaming strategies. No cluster differences were found for information satisfaction (P = .71) and tendency to maintain the pregnancy (P = .35). CONCLUSION: Women and partners using internalizing coping strategies deal with the highest levels of distress and may benefit from additional psychosocial support.

Pregnancy-associated Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies affecting pregnancy. Pregnancy-associated breast cancer refers to breast cancer that is diagnosed during pregnancy or within the first postpartum year. The incidence is increasing as more women delay childbearing. Breast cancer can be safely diagnosed, staged, and treated during pregnancy while protecting the fetus and mother with excellent outcomes for both. Avoiding diagnostic delays is vital to prognosis. This article provides an overview of the diagnosis, staging, management, and prognosis of pregnancy-associated breast cancer. Relevant current literature is reviewed.

Counselling pregnant women with cancer.

Cancer during pregnancy represents a psychological and biological dilemma, as treatment should be directed to save two lives: the mother and the foetus. As a result of diagnosis and treatment, each patient will experience a range of practical, psychological and emotional challenges. Using a multidisciplinary approach, health professionals trained with communication skills can help reduce patient and family distress. It is essential that the obstetrician, oncologist and psychotherapist take leading roles. The patient and the family should be actively involved in the decision-making process. This will enhance confidence and support.

Anxiety and Feelings toward Their Baby among Pregnant Women with Uterine Leiomyomas.

Pregnant women with uterine leiomyomas may experience anxiety toward their pregnancies and unfavorable feelings toward their infants. From March to July 2010, we distributed anonymous self-recorded questionnaires to 200 pregnant women who visited Okayama Central Hospital for an antenatal check-up after informed consent was provided, and 132 women (23 pregnant women with uterine leiomyomas) were included in our study. Among the multiparous women in their first trimester, the women with uterine leiomyomas had a higher rate of anxiety than those without uterine leiomyomas. 'Avoidance' scores on the Feeling Toward the Baby Scale were significantly higher in the leiomyoma group. The conflict index scores tended to be higher in the leiomyoma group. A multivariate analysis revealed no factors associated with trait-anxiety scores, whereas high state-anxiety scores were correlated with low age;however, there was no correlation between these scores and uterine leiomyomas. Although no factors were associated with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and approach scores toward the baby, avoidance and conflict index scores were associated with the existence of uterine leiomyomas. In pregnant women with uterine leiomyomas, efforts should be made to reduce anxiety in the first trimester, and support should be provided to help these women develop positive feelings toward their babies.