Women's perspectives on communication following the diagnosis of gestational or postpartum cancer: A qualitative study

IF 2.6 3区医学 Q1 NURSING Midwifery Pub Date : 2025-03-11 DOI:10.1016/j.midw.2025.104374

Sultana Farhana , Jane Frawley , Antoinette Anazodo , Elizabeth A. Sullivan

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Cancer during pregnancy or the postpartum period is rare, and the clinical management of cancer during this period is complex due to a lack of evidence-based approaches and logistical challenges. Effective communication between women and healthcare providers (HCPs) is critical in navigating these challenges, and communication gaps may contribute to unmet informational and emotional needs, affecting decision-making and overall care experiences.

Aim

This study aimed to understand women's perspectives on communication with their healthcare providers (HCPs) following a gestational cancer diagnosis.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with women who experienced cancer during pregnancy or the postpartum period (12 months after giving birth). Data were analysed thematically.

Results

17 women participated in this study. Participants varied in age, timing, and cancer diagnosis. Seven women were diagnosed with breast cancer, while the remaining were diagnosed with a variety of cancers, including melanoma, lymphoma, thyroid, ovarian, uterine, bowel, and oropharyngeal cancer. Notably, 10 participants were diagnosed with cancer in the postpartum period, whereas seven were diagnosed during pregnancy. Three overarching themes emerged from the thematic analysis: 1) "Scarcity of information," 2) "Not involved in treatment decisions," and 3) "Centralised resources and advocacy."

Conclusions

This study provides crucial insights into the challenges faced by women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy and the postpartum period, particularly regarding communication with HCPs. This highlights the urgent need for enhanced communication, education, and support for HCPs along with tailored resources for women with gestational cancer. Coordinated multidisciplinary care and dedicated advocacy by nurses or midwives are essential to address these challenges and improve health care outcomes for women and their families.

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来源期刊

Midwifery 医学-护理

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

7.40%

发文量

221

审稿时长

13.4 weeks

期刊介绍： Midwifery publishes the latest peer reviewed international research to inform the safety, quality, outcomes and experiences of pregnancy, birth and maternity care for childbearing women, their babies and families. The journal’s publications support midwives and maternity care providers to explore and develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes informed by best available evidence. Midwifery provides an international, interdisciplinary forum for the publication, dissemination and discussion of advances in evidence, controversies and current research, and promotes continuing education through publication of systematic and other scholarly reviews and updates. Midwifery articles cover the cultural, clinical, psycho-social, sociological, epidemiological, education, managerial, workforce, organizational and technological areas of practice in preconception, maternal and infant care. The journal welcomes the highest quality scholarly research that employs rigorous methodology. Midwifery is a leading international journal in midwifery and maternal health with a current impact factor of 1.861 (© Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports 2016) and employs a double-blind peer review process.