Ending a pregnancy when you have cancer
In certain situations, your doctors may advise ending a pregnancy. This is usually only when there is a serious risk to your health.
Making a decision to end pregnancy
It is not normally necessary to end the pregnancy. You can usually have effective treatment while pregnant.
In certain situations, your doctors may advise ending a pregnancy. This is usually only when there is a serious risk to your health. For example, they may suggest this if:
- the pregnancy is at an early stage and the cancer is fast-growing
- you need urgent treatment that would not be safe for the baby
- you need an operation that is not possible during pregnancy.
The advice to end the pregnancy will also depend on the type of cancer, its stage and how many weeks pregnant you are.
Ending a pregnancy does not improve the outlook (prognosis) for a cancer. But it may mean you can have the most effective treatment. Continuing a pregnancy sometimes means delaying treatment. Or it may mean having less-effective treatment, to protect the baby.
Getting support
Having to think about ending a pregnancy is very distressing. It is a deeply personal decision that only you can make. You may have been planning your pregnancy for a long time. This may feel especially hard if you have struggled to become pregnant or are pregnant after having fertility treatment.
You may need support from the people that you are close to. Your pregnancy and cancer teams will also support you. They will respect the choices you make. You may have strong, protective feelings towards the developing baby.
Deciding whether to end a pregnancy can be very difficult. Your cancer doctor and specialist nurse will explain everything to you. They will help you understand the risks to your health if you continue with the pregnancy.
You may decide to end the pregnancy for your own reasons, even if your doctors are not recommending this. You may feel you cannot get on with treatment and recovery while being pregnant. Or you may decide to focus on getting well for the family you already have. Whatever the reason, it is an upsetting decision to have to make.
You may need specialist support from a counsellor or a psychologist experienced in supporting people through a loss.
We have more information about talking therapies and how to find a counsellor or therapist.
Mummy’s Star has a video about baby loss and cancer, including ending a pregnancy.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our pregnancy and cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
de Haan J, Verheecke M, et al. Oncological management and obstetric and neonatal outcomes for women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy: a 20-year international cohort study of 1170 patients. Lancet Oncology. 2018. Vol 19 [accessed October 2023]
Public Health England, Cancer before, during and after pregnancy, National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service 2018 [accessed October 2023]
Silverstein J, Post AL, Chien AJ, Olin R, Tsai KK, Ngo Z, Van Loon K. Multidisciplinary management of cancer during pregnancy. JCO Oncol Pract. 2020 Sep;16(9):545-557. doi: 10.1200/OP.20.00077. PMID: 32910882. [accessed September 2023]
Wolters V, Heimovaara J, Maggen C, et al. Management of pregnancy in cancer Int J Gynecol Cancer 2021;31:314–322.
Reviewer
Consultant Medical Oncologist & Honorary Associate Professor
Date reviewed
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