Perceptions of Quality of Life for Women Pregnant During a Cancer Diagnosis: A Review of the Literature

Given the current trend of delaying pregnancy and the gradual increase in age-related risk of certain cancers, the incidence of pregnancy during a cancer diagnosis will likely continue to increase. The objective of this review is to identify specific aspects of quality of life that impact women diagnosed with a cancer during pregnancy. A comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed and Health Research Premium databases, including articles from 2014 to 2024 that assessed psychological or quality-of-life outcomes in cancer during pregnancy. A total of 1,987 articles were screened with a final yield of six articles that met the inclusion criteria. Overall, themes included fear and worry, social support, and concerns over breastfeeding. These themes were identified as aspects of quality of life that impact women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy. It is critical that all members of the health-care team recognize the unique situation that occurs when a pregnancy is complicated by a cancer diagnosis.