Psychological Issues in Breast Cancer Survivors Confronted with Motherhood: Literature Review and a Call to Action

Overview

Journal Front Psychol

Date 2023 Mar 24

PMID 36960007

Authors

Valentina Elisabetta Di Mattei

Gaia Perego

Paola Taranto

Martina Mazzetti

Federica Ferrari

Noemi Derna

Fedro Alessandro Peccatori

Giorgia Mangili

Massimo Candiani

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Breast cancer is currently the most common cancer among women worldwide; in 15-25% of cases, patients are premenopausal at the time of diagnosis, and 50% of women desire pregnancy after cancer diagnosis. Motherhood after breast cancer involves complex psychological challenges with long-term consequences, though it is safely pursuable with adequate support. The purpose of this mini-review is to analyze the psychological implications surrounding pregnancy and motherhood after breast cancer and promote action in addressing the challenges that might affect women facing these life events.

Citing Articles

The Traces of Cancer: A Metaphorical Understanding of the Experiences of Women Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

Guite-Verret A, Vachon M Qual Health Res. 2024; :10497323241242054.

PMID: 39155833 PMC: 11852540. DOI: 10.1177/10497323241242054.

Assessing quality of life and depression in non-metastatic breast cancer patients following surgical treatment: A cross-sectional study in Lebanon.

Nahle A, Hamdar H, Awada R, Kaddour Z, Rammal Z, Abbas R Medicine (Baltimore). 2024; 103(25):e38588.

PMID: 38905381 PMC: 11191868. DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038588.

Knowledge Gaps and Current Evidence Regarding Breastfeeding Issues in Mothers with Chronic Diseases.

Sokou R, Parastatidou S, Iliodromiti Z, Lampropoulou K, Vrachnis D, Boutsikou T Nutrients. 2023; 15(13).

PMID: 37447149 PMC: 10343612. DOI: 10.3390/nu15132822.

References

Rossi L, Mazzara C, Pagani O . Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer in Young Women. Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2019; 20(12):86. DOI: 10.1007/s11864-019-0685-7. View

Mascheroni E, Faccio F, Bonassi L, Ionio C, Peccatori F, Pisoni C . Exploring differences in psychological aspects during pregnancy between cancer survivors and women without a history of cancer. Support Care Cancer. 2019; 28(5):2255-2263. DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-05048-w. View

Faccio F, Mascheroni E, Ionio C, Pravettoni G, Peccatori F, Pisoni C . Motherhood during or after breast cancer diagnosis: A qualitative study. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2020; 29(2):e13214. DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13214. View

Crawshaw M, Sloper P . 'Swimming against the tide'--the influence of fertility matters on the transition to adulthood or survivorship following adolescent cancer. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2010; 19(5):610-20. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2009.01118.x. View

Kennedy H, MacDonald E . "Altered consciousness" during childbirth: potential clues to post traumatic stress disorder?. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2002; 47(5):380-2. DOI: 10.1016/s1526-9523(02)00271-4. View

Alder J, Bitzer J . Psychooncologic care in young women facing cancer and pregnancy. Recent Results Cancer Res. 2007; 178:225-36. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-71274-9_19. View

Mor P, Brennenstuhl S, Metcalfe K . Uptake of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis in Female BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers. J Genet Couns. 2018; 27(6):1386-1394. DOI: 10.1007/s10897-018-0264-2. View

Peccatori F, Mangili G, Bergamini A, Filippi F, Martinelli F, Ferrari F . Fertility preservation in women harboring deleterious BRCA mutations: ready for prime time?. Hum Reprod. 2017; 33(2):181-187. DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dex356. View

Cigoli V, Gilli G, Saita E . Relational factors in psychopathological responses to childbirth. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2006; 27(2):91-7. DOI: 10.1080/01674820600714566. View

10.

Ferrari F, Faccio F, Peccatori F, Pravettoni G . Psychological issues and construction of the mother-child relationship in women with cancer during pregnancy: a perspective on current and future directions. BMC Psychol. 2018; 6(1):10. PMC: 5857118. DOI: 10.1186/s40359-018-0224-5. View

11.

Groer M . Differences between exclusive breastfeeders, formula-feeders, and controls: a study of stress, mood, and endocrine variables. Biol Res Nurs. 2005; 7(2):106-17. DOI: 10.1177/1099800405280936. View

12.

Ter Welle-Butalid M, Vriens I, Derhaag J, Leter E, de Die-Smulders C, Smidt M . Counseling young women with early breast cancer on fertility preservation. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2019; 36(12):2593-2604. PMC: 6910894. DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01615-6. View

13.

Bartick M, Stuebe A, Shealy K, Walker M, Grummer-Strawn L . Closing the quality gap: promoting evidence-based breastfeeding care in the hospital. Pediatrics. 2009; 124(4):e793-802. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2009-0430. View

14.

Moloney S, Gair S . Empathy and spiritual care in midwifery practice: Contributing to women's enhanced birth experiences. Women Birth. 2015; 28(4):323-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2015.04.009. View

15.

Gerstl B, Sullivan E, Ives A, Saunders C, Wand H, Anazodo A . Pregnancy Outcomes After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Clin Breast Cancer. 2017; 18(1):e79-e88. DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2017.06.016. View

16.

Azim Jr H, Bellettini G, Gelber S, Peccatori F . Breast-feeding after breast cancer: if you wish, madam. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008; 114(1):7-12. DOI: 10.1007/s10549-008-9983-7. View

17.

Young K, Shliakhtsitsava K, Natarajan L, Myers E, Dietz A, Gorman J . Fertility counseling before cancer treatment and subsequent reproductive concerns among female adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Cancer. 2018; 125(6):980-989. PMC: 6402962. DOI: 10.1002/cncr.31862. View

18.

Florsheim P, Burrow-Sanchez J, Minami T, McArthur L, Heavin S, Hudak C . Young parenthood program: supporting positive paternal engagement through coparenting counseling. Am J Public Health. 2012; 102(10):1886-92. PMC: 3490678. DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.300902. View

19.

Kuswanto C, Stafford L, Sharp J, Schofield P . Psychological distress, role, and identity changes in mothers following a diagnosis of cancer: A systematic review. Psychooncology. 2018; 27(12):2700-2708. DOI: 10.1002/pon.4904. View

20.

Gorman J, Usita P, Madlensky L, Pierce J . A qualitative investigation of breast cancer survivors' experiences with breastfeeding. J Cancer Surviv. 2009; 3(3):181-91. PMC: 2714446. DOI: 10.1007/s11764-009-0089-y. View