Psychological management of pregnancy-related breast cancer.
The comprehensive care of a pregnant patient in whom breast cancer is diagnosed presents a challenge to the biomedical and psychological competence of the medical team. Illustrated by a case presentation the different phases of psychological care are delineated and discussed: the confrontation with the diagnosis of a life-threatening disease in a situation in which the beginning of a future life is celebrated. Special attention is given to breaking bad news, the establishment of a stable and trustful physician-patient relationship, communicating risk and to the extremely difficult decision-making process regarding termination or continuation of pregnancy (shared decision-making). The delicate balance between oncological care for the mother with a high-risk disease and a high-risk pregnancy and neonatal care for the foetus is outlined, including regular talks about emotions and concerns.
Zanetti-Dällenbach
Rosanna
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
Tschudin
Sibil
S
Lapaire
Olav
O
Holzgreve
Wolfgang
W
Wight
Edward
E
Bitzer
Johannes
J
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012306:Risk