PREGNANCY DECISION-MAKING AMONG WOMEN PREVIOUSLY TREATED FOR BREAST-CANCER

Increasing numbers of women with breast cancer who have not yet had a child or want more children will be faced with deciding whether to att empt pregnancy after their treatment is completed. Through in-depth fo cused interviews with 50 women who completed treatment for breast canc er at least six months earlier, the perceived deterrents and incentive s to having a child were explored. The principal deterrents were fears that (1) the disease would recur, (2) the child might have a birth de fect caused by the chemotherapy or radiation they had received, (3) th e child would be born with a susceptibility to cancer, and (4) caring for a child would be too stressful. The principal incentives were the beliefs that having a baby (1) is a cherished part of a life plan, (2) is life affirming, (3) will promote a feeling of normalcy again, (4) would make their husband very happy,and (5) would enhance their qualit y of life.