Review article

BREAST CANCER AND PREGNANCY – Dilemmas and Controversies

Josip Fajdić
Damir Hodžić
Željko Glavić
Nikola Gotovac

Abstract

The incidence of breast cancer during pregnancy and breast-feeding is a very rare but challenging clinical problem whose solution, along with medical, also involves legal, ethical, religious and psychosocial standards. In this study, the evolution of medical views on the subject has been presented. From extremely pessimistic ones, which were prevalent in the past, to modern views which are valid today when pregnancy is considered a mere coincidence and not a cause for the disease. However, the doctor is faced with them in the way of a number of dilemmas. Inspite of the rare incidence of breast cancer among pregnant women, there are only 0.2% to 3.8% cancerstricken patients, that is 1:3,000–1:10,000 pregnancies, there appear still numerous dilemmas and controversies regarding breast cancer diagnostics, treatement¬ and other aspects that are of crucial interest both for the doctor and the patient. From the correct approach to solving many of those dilemmas arise many prognostic implications both for the mother and the child. Despite adequately conformed views on this multidisciplinarily pervading problem in medicine, the aim of this study is to point to the most fundamental dilemmas which draw the attention of the medical profession.

Keywords

breast cancer; pregnancy

Hrčak ID:

15516

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/15516

Publication date:

1.3.2003.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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