Heimovaara JH, van Calsteren K, Lok CAR, Evens AM, Hoegl J, Ferber A, Fernandes A, Vriens I, van Zuylen L, Amant F. Results of an international survey on the current organization of care for pregnant women with cancer.
Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2024;
103:751-756. [PMID:
38298117 PMCID:
PMC10993336 DOI:
10.1111/aogs.14748]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
The global incidence of cancer is increasing, including its incidence in women of reproductive age. Still, physicians encounter this situation rarely, which could lead to substandard care. This research sought to explore opportunities to improve future care for pregnant women with cancer, by describing the outcomes of a survey distributed to physicians all over the world focusing on clinical experience with pregnant women with cancer, the organization of care and current gaps in knowledge. We included 249 responses from physicians working across 36 countries. Responses demonstrate a wide variation in the organization of care - generally lacking centralization, and the physicians' acknowledgement of insufficient knowledge on the management of pregnant women with cancer. There is a need for improvement through national centralization and/or establishing advisory boards for cancer in pregnancy. Seeing the paucity of cancer in pregnancy experience, the importance of global multidisciplinary collaboration is emphasized.
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