Pregnancy and chemo.

[sweetrussian]

What happens if you are pregnant and think you might have cancer? Can you still have chemo or do you have to wait until the baby is born? Sensible answers only please and no I am not talking about myself.

[~owzat~]

I suggest you watch old episodes of Emmerdale, case in point...

[sweetrussian]

Why? I hate Emmerdale!

[wonderwoman1]

would you not already know the answer to this if you are studying to be a doctor?? just an observation

[~owzat~]

It doesn't matter that you hate Emmerdale really, just get the person who is pregnant, who thinks she might have cancer to watch the programme instead!!

[wonderwoman1]

well hello owzat!! how are u? xx

[sweetrussian]

O.K I think she would just prefer to know the answer instead of having to watch hours of rubbish first! I am studying to be a Doctor.If I knew as much as a Doctor there would be no point in me studying.

[jiggy-gb]

If you're not even supposed to drink alcohol when pregnant I can't see chemo, generally poisonous substances, being any good for the baby either?!!!

[~owzat~]

Fine thanks WW1, how ya doin'?

[~owzat~]

Why does this mysterious person think they have cancer?

[wonderwoman1]

i take it you dont go to your lectures then??? if you are studying to be a doctor they teach you things....things that you will probably come across when you are practicing medicine, things like your "friend's" problem. common sense really!

owzat i'm really good thx babes...xxx

[DrChandra]

When I was studying to be a Doctor I knew a LOT more then you seem to know but it does deopend on how long you have been studying.Chemo is possible when pregnant for SOME women but wherever possible it is avoided.

[DotH]

wish there was a report option that read Muppet

[whiffey]

DrChandra, how did you get on with the brachial plexus or Oscar's Penis ?

[Pippa68]

How long do youj have to study before you have some basic knowledge on the human body & it's workings, DrChandra?

[bednobs]

hi, i think it's a question that only a person in the situation can answer, as it will be different for everyone, depending on their priorities. It might be an interesting theoretical debate, but i would hope that noone has had the experience or will have the experience, and cannot contribute anyting to the debate. You cannot have chemotherapy or radiotherapy while you are pregnant without risking the life of the foetus, so most women in the situation will either be induced early so they can start treatment, or if in the early stages, have an abortion

[joko]

i read a story recently where a woman had cancer treatment while pregnant, as there was little chance of either surviving if she didn't

she is now fine - and so is the baby, with no affects at all

apparently docs do this as a precaustion for the fear of harm but there have little or no actual tests to show this is dangerous to babies - they just choose not to do it for fear of the consequences - how can they really test without risking the life the baby? who would give permission? it can only really be tested when neither mother or baby have no choice.

the case above is apparently making docs have a big rethink over treating pregnant women.