Editing Cancer (section)

== Pregnancy ==
Cancer affects approximately 1 in 1,000 pregnant women. The most common cancers found during pregnancy are the same as the most common cancers found in non-pregnant women during childbearing ages: breast cancer, cervical cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer.<ref name=yarbro/>

Diagnosing a new cancer in a pregnant woman is difficult, in part because any symptoms are commonly assumed to be a normal discomfort associated with pregnancy. As a result, cancer is typically discovered at a somewhat later stage than average. Some imaging procedures, such as [[Magnetic resonance imaging|MRIs]] (magnetic resonance imaging), [[CT scan]]s, ultrasounds and [[mammography|mammograms]] with fetal shielding are considered safe during pregnancy; some others, such as [[Positron emission tomography|PET scans]], are not.<ref name=yarbro/>

Treatment is generally the same as for non-pregnant women. However, radiation and radioactive drugs are normally avoided during pregnancy, especially if the fetal dose might exceed 100 cGy. In some cases, some or all treatments are postponed until after birth if the cancer is diagnosed late in the pregnancy. Early deliveries are often used to advance the start of treatment. Surgery is generally safe, but pelvic surgeries during the first trimester may cause miscarriage. Some treatments, especially certain chemotherapy drugs given during the [[first trimester]], increase the risk of [[birth defect]]s and pregnancy loss (spontaneous abortions and stillbirths).<ref name=yarbro/>

Elective abortions are not required and, for the most common forms and stages of cancer, do not improve the mother's survival. In a few instances, such as advanced uterine cancer, the pregnancy cannot be continued and in others, the patient may end the pregnancy so that she can begin aggressive chemotherapy.<ref name=yarbro/>

Some treatments can interfere with the mother's ability to give birth vaginally or to breastfeed.<ref name=yarbro/> Cervical cancer may require birth by [[Caesarean section]]. Radiation to the breast reduces the ability of that breast to produce milk and increases the risk of [[mastitis]]. Also, when chemotherapy is given after birth, many of the drugs appear in breast milk, which could harm the baby.<ref name=yarbro>{{cite book | vauthors = Yarbro CH, Wujcik D, Gobel BH |title=Cancer Nursing: Principles and Practice |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=LJVTQs4QjJ0C |page=901}}|year=2010|publisher=Jones & Bartlett Learning|isbn=978-0-7637-6357-2|pages = 901–905}}</ref>