Motherhood in breast cancer survivors: Challenges and opportunitiesties

Abstract

Reproductive-aged breast cancer (BC) survivors have different ideas regarding the experience of motherhood after cancer treatment. Some BC survivors considered motherhood a miracle of God, an unexpected pleasant event, and an incredible opportunity to return to everyday life before a cancer diagnosis. Against these positive aspects of motherhood, the transition to motherhood responsibilities accompanied by the fear of cancer recurrence and becoming an ill mother are some challenges among survivors. Also, fear of losing the ability to breastfeed due to mastectomy, fear of not devoting enough energy to care for the newborn, and meeting the infant or other child’s needs were the most common challenges of BC survivors after childbirth. Motherhood in BC survivors is associated with negative attitudes and fear toward death and breastfeeding. To increase the happiness and psychological well-being among these women regarding motherhood, considering the multidimensional supportive program and survivorship care after treatment regarding fertility issues lead to converting motherhood as an opportunity and hope for these women after experiencing a complicated treatment process.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• survivors
• motherhood.