Cancer during pregnancy has lasting psychological impact on the wellbeing of women

A team of researchers, led by Dr Jenny Harris from the University of Surrey, examined the emotional, psychological and practical challenges experienced by women diagnosed with cancer whilst pregnant.  

Previous research in this area has shown that an increasing number of women are being diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy, due in part to delayed parenthood in developed countries and the increased use of prenatal testing for foetal chromosomal abnormalities. 

To learn more, researchers interviewed 20 women who received a cancer diagnosis during or soon after pregnancy who shared their experiences of treatment, childbirth and survivorship.  

Researchers found that many women experienced significant levels of maternal guilt. Such feelings normally centred around concerns about the health of their baby, their ability to manage treatment, capability to care and live up to their own expectations for existing children or their maternal role.  

Many women interviewed described an overwhelming sense of exhaustion, which extended into their postpartum recovery as they juggled motherhood and ongoing treatment, with one woman describing it as “gruelling.” The need to prioritise cancer treatment over new motherhood often meant that women were unable to fully experience early bonding moments with their babies.  

Women also spoke of the strain of managing cancer and pregnancy with work simultaneously. Researchers found that as cancer often disrupts women’s plans to work during pregnancy or return to work after maternity leave, it forced difficult choices about priorities and capacity. Closely associated with this is the financial concerns that are created when combining pregnancy with a cancer diagnosis, as frequent appointments, travel and unpaid leave combined with existing expenses placed additional pressure on families.