Summary: Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women, with a lifetime risk of almost 11% (one in nine) in the UK. There has been an overall increase in the incidence of breast cancer but in the UK mortality has fallen by over 30% in the last decade. It is likely that this is due to the widespread introduction of tamoxifen in treatment regimens and the introduction of breast screening. Obstetricians will see an increasing number of women who are pregnant or seeking pregnancy after treatment for breast cancer.
This guideline provides clinical guidance on how to care for women of childbearing age with a diagnosis or history of breast cancer. The management of pregnancy in relation to breast cancer is multidisciplinary, and the guideline will be useful to obstetricians and gynaecologists, fertility specialists and midwives as well as oncologists and breast care nurses.
COVID disclaimer: This guideline developed as part of the regular programme of Green-top Guidelines, as outlined in our document Developing a Green-top Guideline: Guidance for developers (PDF), and prior to the emergence of COVID-19.
Version history: This is the second edition of this guideline; the third edition is currently in development.
Developer declaration of interests: Available on request.