Pregnancy through the lens of breast cancer survivors: A qualitative study in an Iranian setting

Abstract

Background As recently the number of breast cancer (BC) survivors has increased, the potential desire to conceive a child after completing treatments is a significant concern among survivors. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceived needs of pregnancy through the lens of BC survivors. Methods This qualitative study with content analysis approach was conducted between August 2021 and February 2022. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured, face-to-face interviews, and 16 BC survivors were selected by purposive sampling at two referral centers in Sari, Northern Iran. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed concurrently. Then interviews were coded and categorized using MAXQDA 12. Results As a result of data analysis, six main categories and 13 subcategories were extracted. Six main categories including "pregnancy and childbirth problems", "maternal mental health problems", "social problems", "marital instability", "need to support and need to resort to spirituality". Conclusions Since pregnancy is a stressful event in women's life, especially for women with BC, these women need to be counseled and prepared for a healthy pregnancy by their healthcare providers. Also, improving the healthcare professional's knowledge regarding the pregnancy complications of these women is crucial to providing high-quality care for BC survivors.