The experience of pregnancy and early motherhood in women diagnosed with gestational breast cancer

Abstract

To explore the psychosocial experiences of pregnancy in women diagnosed with breast cancer during or shortly after pregnancy. A retrospective qualitative design was employed. Fifteen women who had received a gestational breast cancer (GBC) diagnosis participated in semi- structured interviews. The interviews sought to identify the emotional and social issues related to the experiences of pregnancy and motherhood in women diagnosed with gestational breast cancer. Women diagnosed with GBC experience difficulties in adjusting to two different and conflicting life events; the threat of their breast cancer alongside the news of their pregnancy. They have to make difficult decisions that impact on their own life, the life of their foetus/new baby and that of their existing family. Women who received a GBC diagnosis reported high levels of anxiety and stress, which pervaded their whole GBC experience. Women reported their anxiety was linked to the conflict between the concern for their baby's health and the concern for their own health and wellbeing. Women diagnosed with GBC attributed different meanings to their experience of pregnancy and motherhood and made choices based on their own beliefs, values and how complete they believed their family was.