In a nutshell
This study investigated the effects of pregnancy following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Some background
Nowadays, most breast cancer patients enjoy high survival rates and years of disease free quality of life. While the effects of breast cancer on fertility and pregnancy outcomes have been well researched, the effects of pregnancy on long-term survival and the outcome of breast cancer patients has not yet been thoroughly investigated.
Methods & findings
A total of 333 women who became pregnant at any time following breast cancer diagnosis were compared to 874 matched non-pregnant breast cancer patients. No difference was noted in the risk of cancer recurrence between pregnant and non-pregnant patients. However, overall survival was significantly greater among women who became pregnant following breast cancer. Cancer to pregnancy time interval did not seem to impact the risk of cancer relapse. However, the chances of extended disease free survival were greatest among women achieving pregnancy within two years of diagnosis.
The bottom line
This study suggests that pregnancy following breast cancer does not increase the risk of cancer recurrence or hinder prognosis.
Published By :
Journal of clinical oncology
Date :
Jan 01, 2013
