Closing the research gaps in obstetric health for survivors of cancer

Fertility, pregnancy, and motherhood are biological needs that concern both long-term survivors of cancer and oncology care providers. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the birth rates and long-term obstetric complications among female survivors of cancer. Moreover, the existing data are from studies of childhood cancer that do not distinguish by individual cancer type. 1 Trama A Botta L Foschi R et al. Survival of European adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer in 2000-07: population-based data from EUROCARE-5. Lancet Oncol. 2016; 17: 896-906 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (204) Google Scholar Grouping cancer types together in a study might not be an accurate extrapolation because the propensity to affect reproductive organs varies among cancer types, their respective treatments, and the age at which the treatment is received. 1 Trama A Botta L Foschi R et al. Survival of European adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer in 2000-07: population-based data from EUROCARE-5. Lancet Oncol. 2016; 17: 896-906 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (204) Google Scholar Furthermore, the risk complications related to fertility and obstetrics for individuals diagnosed with cancer as adolescents and young adults (ie, individuals aged 15–39 years) would understandably be different than the risk for children. 1 Trama A Botta L Foschi R et al. Survival of European adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer in 2000-07: population-based data from EUROCARE-5. Lancet Oncol. 2016; 17: 896-906 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (204) Google Scholar Risks of adverse obstetric outcomes among female survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer in England (TYACSS): a population-based, retrospective cohort studySurvivors of cervical cancer and leukaemia are at risk of several serious obstetric complications; therefore, any pregnancy should be considered high-risk and would benefit from obstetrician-led antenatal care. Despite observing deficits in birth rates across all 17 different types of adolescent and young adult cancer, we provide reassurance for almost all survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer concerning their risk of almost all obstetric complications. Our results provide evidence for the development of clinical guidelines relating to counselling and surveillance of obstetrical risk for female survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer. Full-Text PDF Open Access