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Cancer Diagnoses in Pregnant Women Are on the Rise


A new study released by BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, finds that cancer diagnoses in pregnant women are on the rise. Researchers studied data on 1,309,501 pregnancies among 781,907 women who gave birth in New South Wales (Australia's most populous state) between 1994-2008. They found that 192 out of every 100,000 pregnant and postpartum women received a cancer diagnosis — up from 112 per 100,000 women in 1994.

But before any one swears off childbirth in the interest of health, a closer reading of the study actually suggests that because pregnant women are actively engaged in the healthcare system, they are more often screened for cancer therefore increasing the likelihood of a diagnosis. Cancer diagnoses were predominantly melanoma (33.3 percent) and breast cancer (21 percent).

Another factor of this increase in cancers is that women are becoming pregnant in later years than in the past, and that the risk of cancer is known to increase with age. Among the 2007 data, the women in the study, ages 35 and over, were three times more likely to have been diagnosed with cancer compared to those under 30.

Although it's considered rare (one for every 1000 births), cancer is the second leading cause of death in women during their reproductive years. What the researchers were seeking to address is the concern brought on by the trend of women postponing childbearing to older age and the increased likelihood that the incidence of cancer during pregnancy is likely to increase.

Finally, the idea that "the hormones and growth factors necessary for fetal growth may accelerate tumour growth" is offered as a contributing factor to why cancers may become more detectable during pregnancy, but again, the idea isn't that the pregnancy caused the cancer; merely that it might possibly "out it" sooner. And rest assured, on the rare occasion that it does occur, cancer during pregnancy can be treated.

What I find most helpful about these studies is that they provide good material to take with you to your next doctor visit. If you have concerns you can share them, and have them interpreted by a professional who knows your particular needs and concerns.

Do you have concerns about cancer during pregnancy? Tell us below in the comments section!

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Carolyn Buchanan
