Aims: Little is known about women’s experiences of cancer during and immediately following pregnancy. It is imperative to understand these experiences as the incidence of gestational cancer has risen in parallel with increased early onset cancer rates.
Methods: A novel systematic mixed methods review was attended, following the JBI methodology which synthesised qualitative and quantitative data. The search strategy involved a comprehensive search of five scientific research databases. There was no date range set so that all published studies were captured. The review process followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Methodological quality assessment was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).
Results: A total of 5172 studies were identified and 13 primary studies included, reflecting 266 individual women’s experiences. Three superordinate themes were constructed: psychological impact, women’s identity and complex care. Women reported overwhelming feelings of distress, fluctuating hopes and fears, concerns for their and their baby’s health and wellbeing and reflections on spirituality which impacted their wellbeing. Women’s ‘sense of self’ was affected by their gestational cancer diagnosis as expectations of motherhood, from bodily ideals, birth wishes, breastfeeding choices and future fertility became challenged. The complexity of gestational cancer care was reported to be emotionally sensitive and ethically challenged as it involved multidisciplinary care teams and extended to women’s partners and family.
Conclusions: Women affected by gestational cancer experience a myriad of complex care needs in response to their diagnosis, treatment and maternity care. Existing oncology and maternity services are under-resourced and ill equipped to meet women’s supportive care needs. As women affected by gestational cancer use both cancer care and maternity care services, it is imperative that research be undertaken, and clinical practice guidelines developed that consider their supportive care needs.