Pregnancy after breast cancer: Are young patients willing to participate in clinical studies?

Breast. 2015 Jun;24(3):201-7. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2015.01.005. Epub 2015 Feb 4.

Abstract

Young patients with breast cancer (BC) are often concerned about treatment-induced infertility and express maternity desire. Conception after BC does not seem to affect outcome, but information in estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) disease is not definitive. From September 2012-March 2013, 212 evaluable patients with ER+ early BC, <37 years at diagnosis, from 5 regions (Europe/US/Canada/Middle-East/Australia) answered a survey about fertility concerns, maternity desire and interest in a study of endocrine therapy (ET) interruption to allow pregnancy. Overall, 37% of respondents were interested in the study; younger patients (≤30 years) reported higher interest (57%). Motivation in younger patients treated >30 months was higher (83%) than in older women (14%), interest was independent of age in patients treated for ≤30 months. A prospective study in this patient population seems relevant and feasible. The International-Breast-Cancer-Study-Group (IBCSG), within the Breast-International-Group (BIG) - North-American-Breast-Cancer-Groups (NABCG) collaboration, is launching a study (POSITIVE) addressing ET interruption to allow pregnancy.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Endocrine treatment; Estrogen receptor; Pregnancy; Young patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Breast Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / psychology
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Fertility Preservation / methods
  • Fertility Preservation / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Patient Participation / psychology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / psychology*
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Withholding Treatment*

Substances

  • Receptors, Estrogen