title: A growing dilemma--breast cancer and pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast cancer and pregnancy are events that have an enormous impact on the lives of women. When these events are associated they become a highly emotive issue with possible devastating consequences.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  While information on breast cancer is widely available, much less is reported on the association between breast cancer and pregnancy. This article reviews the available evidence on which general practitioners can base their management of women with gestational breast cancer or breast cancer survivors who may want to conceive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breast cancer can be diagnosed during pregnancy or in the 12 months postpartum (including lactation), known as gestational breast cancer or pregnancy associated breast cancer. Previous treatment for breast cancer may have detrimental effects for women who subsequently conceive or wish to conceive. General practitioners, as the primary care giver, have an integral role in the successful education, management and support of these women.
authors.affiliation: WA Safety and Quality of Surgical Care Project, Centre for Health Services Research, School of Population Health, University of Western Australia. iangela@dph.uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ives
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Semmens
authors.forename: Christobel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puckridge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods; D003657:Decision Making; D018450:Disease Progression; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010358:Patient Participation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000628:therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D017741:Survivors