Study: Increase in Pregnant Women Diagnosed with Cancer

September 20, 2012

An Australian study found that more women are being diagnosed with cancer while pregnant than in the previous decades, reports NBC News. In 1994, 112 per 100,00 pregnant women were diagnosed with cancer; in 2007, that number increased to 192.

Plus: Inspiring Stories from 10 Moms with Cancer

The study looked at data from New South Wales hospitals on births and cancer diagnoses, and discovered the increase. Researchers attribute the rise to advanced maternal age and better cancer screening and detection tests. In the study, pregnant women over 35 were three times more likely to get cancer than those under 30.

Plus: VIDEO: Interviews With Mom Cancer Survivors

The most common cancer diagnosis was melanoma, which affects 45 out of every 100,000 women; but Australia, where the study was conducted, also has the highest rate of melanoma worldwide.

Do you get regular cancer screenings and checkups? Tell us in the comments (and then take our pledge to stay healthy, for you and your family).

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