Childbearing Recommendations for Women of Reproductive Age with Breast Cancer: A Policy Brief

Abstract

Background and purpose: In recent decades, there has been an increasing trend in postponing pregnancy to the final years of the reproductive age. Accordingly, the growing number of young women with breast cancer (BC) has caused some women at reproductive aged diagnosed with BC to consider pregnancy after completing treatment. Since the fertility rate has decreased in Iran in recent decades and given that young BC women have an essential role in the fertility rate, this policy brief was conducted to investigate the childbearing recommendations for women of reproductive age with BC. Materials and methods: A systematical search was first conducted in international databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Cochrane Library, and PubMed, as well as national databases such as SID and MagIran, and in some international health websites to find the most relevant evidence. Results: The results led to the extraction of three main themes: Myths, facts, and considerations about childbearing. Overall, there was no comprehensive clinical guideline or document for the management of childbearing issues among women with BC. Conclusion: In cases of BC, women of reproductive age not only require high-quality cancer treatments, but also need comprehensive support for their fertility status to adhere to their treatment successfully. Also, physicians and other healthcare providers should update their information to be able to give complete responses to these women’s questions and main concerns regarding childbearing issues and the prognosis of cancer after pregnancy.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• childbearing
• reproductive-aged
• policy brief