New York, Aug 16 : The implications of the recent ban on abortions by the US Supreme Court could be potentially devastating for a small part of women who have a life-threatening diagnosis of pregnancy-related cancers (PAC) researchers have warned.In a perspective published in the journal JAMA Oncology, a team from the University of California San Francisco discussed the particular difficulties PAC presents to women and the care team for them, who have to be able to balance the security of the mother as well as the safety of the embryo or foetus.
Around one in 1,000 pregnancies are impacted by a cancer diagnosis that is concurrently present.The most commonly diagnosed cancers are cervical cancer, breast cancer and lymphoma.
Other cancers include ovarian cancer leukaemia, colorectal cancer , and melanoma.The termination of the pregnancy is observed in 9 percent to 28 percent of instances, with most cases happening in the first trimester.
“Restrictions on termination of pregnancy will be most affecting situations in where oncologic treatment is needed urgently but is contraindicated in pregnancy and the foetus is not yet viable,” writes senior author Katherine Van Loon, UCSF associate professor of clinical medicine.
“Determinations of whether a termination occurs in the event of a medical emergency or with an illness that is life-threatening is determined by state laws.Oncologists who provide treatment in states with laws in which abortion access is restricted will be in difficult situations in terms of making decisions regarding termination in the context of medical reasons.”
In the year 2020, there were total of 3.6 million births in the US and 1.5 million of them (41 percent) included in the 26 states that are likely to prohibit abortions.
The researchers estimate that around 1500 women are likely to be diagnosed with PAC in the coming year in states that have imposed limits on the rights to end the pregnancy.Based on the rate of occurrence and the estimated rate of termination, they estimate that between 135 to 420 women with PAC could be facing challenges in their treatment for cancer and the possibility of losing of life.
Because of the multidisciplinary and complex nature of the treatment for cancer during pregnancy, researchers have noted that the Supreme Court decision will impact oncologists’ ability to provide the best treatment in these cases.
Particularly in situations in which the foetus has been considered viable but is still premature and treatment for the mother is not safe to administer during pregnancy, doctors will need to weigh the risks of preterm birth against the risks of delayed treatment for the mother.
“If an individual requires chemotherapy to save her life, doctors should not be penalized in their determination to treat her with the highest quality of care,” said Van Loon.
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