The psychosocial impact of cancer diagnosis in pregnancy: a multicenter cohort study of psychosocial challenges in pregnant cancer patients and their partners

Evangeline A. Huis in 't Veld; Mathilde van Gerwen; Elisabeth M. van Dijk-Lokkart; Tineke Vandenbroucke; Rana Dandis; Charlotte L. LeJeune; Indra van Assche; Elyce Cardonick; Inge T.A. Peters; Anna Fagotti; Christianne Lok; Ingrid Boere; Marjon A. de Boer; Britt B.M. Suelmann; Sanne J. Gordijn; Nelleke Ottevanger; Mina Mhallem; Ruud Bekkers; Philippe Tummers; Daniela Chieffo; Martine van Grotel; Kristel Van Calsteren; Marry M.van den Heuvel-Eibrink; Frédéric Amant

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1696459

The psychosocial impact of cancer diagnosis in pregnancy: a multicenter cohort study of psychosocial challenges in pregnant cancer patients and their partners

Evangeline A. Huis in 't Veld
, Mathilde van Gerwen
, Elisabeth M. van Dijk-Lokkart
, Tineke Vandenbroucke
, Rana Dandis
, Charlotte L. LeJeune
, Indra van Assche
, Elyce Cardonick
, Inge T.A. Peters
, Anna Fagotti
, Christianne Lok
, Ingrid Boere
, Marjon A. de Boer
, Britt B.M. Suelmann
, Sanne J. Gordijn
, Nelleke Ottevanger
, Mina Mhallem
, Ruud Bekkers
, Philippe Tummers
, Daniela Chieffo

Martine van Grotel, Kristel Van Calsteren, Marry M.van den Heuvel-Eibrink, Frédéric Amant^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Netherlands Cancer Institute
Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology
Cancer Center Amsterdam (CCA)
University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam UMC
University Hospitals Leuven
KU Leuven
Cooper University Health Care
Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
Utrecht University
University Medical Centre Groningen
Radboud University Medical Center
Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc
Catharina Hospital
Maastricht University
University Hospital Gent

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

Objective:

Cancer during pregnancy poses significant physical and psychological challenges for expectant mothers and their partners. While elevated stress and anxiety levels in pregnancy are well-documented, the specific parental psychological impact of cancer during pregnancy remains unexplored, and could be different for patients and partners. This study represents the first full prospective analysis, complementing earlier retrospective research by analyzing self-reported perspectives and coping strategies among both pregnant cancer patients and their partners.

Methods:

Participants were prospectively recruited within the International Network on Cancer, Infertility, and Pregnancy (INCIP) across The Netherlands, Belgium, USA and Italy. Participants completed the Cancer and Pregnancy Questionnaire (CPQ), developed by our research team, and a shortened version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Differences in concerns and coping strategies were analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests, Cliff's Delta for effect sizes, and Spearman's correlation analysis.

Results:

Between 2009 and 2024, 220 patients and 189 partners participated. Compared to partners, patients reported significantly greater concerns about their child's health and the implications of the disease, treatment, and upcoming delivery. Patients exhibited higher use of both adaptive (e.g., Positive Reappraisal, Refocusing) and maladaptive (e.g., Self-blame, Rumination) coping strategies, and a stronger desire to continue the pregnancy. Satisfaction with medical care was similar between groups. Maternal age at diagnosis was linked to maladaptive strategies (Catastrophizing and Blaming Others), while higher gestational age at diagnosis was associated with both adaptive (Positive Refocusing and Positive Reappraisal), and the maladaptive coping strategy Catastrophizing.

Conclusions:

This study provides valuable insights into the psychological challenges experienced by pregnant cancer patients and their partners, emphasizing the need for personalized care that includes psychological support from the start.

Original language	English
Article number	1696459
Journal	Frontiers in Psychology
Volume	16
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1696459
Publication status	Published - 14 Jan 2026

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2026 Huis in 't Veld, van Gerwen, van Dijk-Lokkart, Vandenbroucke, Dandis, LeJeune, van Assche, Cardonick, Peters, Fagotti, Lok, Boere, de Boer, Suelmann, Gordijn, Ottevanger, Mhallem, Bekkers, Tummers, Chieffo, van Grotel, Van Calsteren, Heuvel-Eibrink and Amant.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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Huis in 't Veld, E. A., van Gerwen, M., van Dijk-Lokkart, E. M., Vandenbroucke, T., Dandis, R., LeJeune, C. L., van Assche, I., Cardonick, E., Peters, I. T. A., Fagotti, A., Lok, C., Boere, I., de Boer, M. A., Suelmann, B. B. M., Gordijn, S. J., Ottevanger, N., Mhallem, M., Bekkers, R., Tummers, P., ... Amant, F. (2026). The psychosocial impact of cancer diagnosis in pregnancy: a multicenter cohort study of psychosocial challenges in pregnant cancer patients and their partners. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, Article 1696459. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1696459

@article{dae379922a2d4d208ece0b45fe72d0b5,

title = "The psychosocial impact of cancer diagnosis in pregnancy: a multicenter cohort study of psychosocial challenges in pregnant cancer patients and their partners",

abstract = "Objective: Cancer during pregnancy poses significant physical and psychological challenges for expectant mothers and their partners. While elevated stress and anxiety levels in pregnancy are well-documented, the specific parental psychological impact of cancer during pregnancy remains unexplored, and could be different for patients and partners. This study represents the first full prospective analysis, complementing earlier retrospective research by analyzing self-reported perspectives and coping strategies among both pregnant cancer patients and their partners. Methods: Participants were prospectively recruited within the International Network on Cancer, Infertility, and Pregnancy (INCIP) across The Netherlands, Belgium, USA and Italy. Participants completed the Cancer and Pregnancy Questionnaire (CPQ), developed by our research team, and a shortened version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Differences in concerns and coping strategies were analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests, Cliff's Delta for effect sizes, and Spearman's correlation analysis. Results: Between 2009 and 2024, 220 patients and 189 partners participated. Compared to partners, patients reported significantly greater concerns about their child's health and the implications of the disease, treatment, and upcoming delivery. Patients exhibited higher use of both adaptive (e.g., Positive Reappraisal, Refocusing) and maladaptive (e.g., Self-blame, Rumination) coping strategies, and a stronger desire to continue the pregnancy. Satisfaction with medical care was similar between groups. Maternal age at diagnosis was linked to maladaptive strategies (Catastrophizing and Blaming Others), while higher gestational age at diagnosis was associated with both adaptive (Positive Refocusing and Positive Reappraisal), and the maladaptive coping strategy Catastrophizing.Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the psychological challenges experienced by pregnant cancer patients and their partners, emphasizing the need for personalized care that includes psychological support from the start.",

author = "\{Huis in 't Veld\}, \{Evangeline A.\} and \{van Gerwen\}, Mathilde and \{van Dijk-Lokkart\}, \{Elisabeth M.\} and Tineke Vandenbroucke and Rana Dandis and LeJeune, \{Charlotte L.\} and \{van Assche\}, Indra and Elyce Cardonick and Peters, \{Inge T.A.\} and Anna Fagotti and Christianne Lok and Ingrid Boere and \{de Boer\}, \{Marjon A.\} and Suelmann, \{Britt B.M.\} and Gordijn, \{Sanne J.\} and Nelleke Ottevanger and Mina Mhallem and Ruud Bekkers and Philippe Tummers and Daniela Chieffo and \{van Grotel\}, Martine and \{Van Calsteren\}, Kristel and Heuvel-Eibrink, \{Marry M.van den\} and Fr{\'e}d{\'e}ric Amant",

note = "Publisher Copyright: Copyright {\textcopyright} 2026 Huis in 't Veld, van Gerwen, van Dijk-Lokkart, Vandenbroucke, Dandis, LeJeune, van Assche, Cardonick, Peters, Fagotti, Lok, Boere, de Boer, Suelmann, Gordijn, Ottevanger, Mhallem, Bekkers, Tummers, Chieffo, van Grotel, Van Calsteren, Heuvel-Eibrink and Amant.",

year = "2026",

month = jan,

day = "14",

doi = "10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1696459",

language = "English",

volume = "16",

journal = "Frontiers in Psychology",

issn = "1664-1078",

publisher = "Frontiers Media SA",

}

Huis in 't Veld, EA, van Gerwen, M, van Dijk-Lokkart, EM, Vandenbroucke, T, Dandis, R, LeJeune, CL, van Assche, I, Cardonick, E, Peters, ITA, Fagotti, A, Lok, C, Boere, I, de Boer, MA, Suelmann, BBM, Gordijn, SJ, Ottevanger, N, Mhallem, M, Bekkers, R, Tummers, P, Chieffo, D, van Grotel, M, Van Calsteren, K, Heuvel-Eibrink, MMVD & Amant, F 2026, 'The psychosocial impact of cancer diagnosis in pregnancy: a multicenter cohort study of psychosocial challenges in pregnant cancer patients and their partners', Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 16, 1696459. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1696459

The psychosocial impact of cancer diagnosis in pregnancy: a multicenter cohort study of psychosocial challenges in pregnant cancer patients and their partners. / Huis in 't Veld, Evangeline A.; van Gerwen, Mathilde; van Dijk-Lokkart, Elisabeth M. et al.
In: Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 16, 1696459, 14.01.2026.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - The psychosocial impact of cancer diagnosis in pregnancy

T2 - a multicenter cohort study of psychosocial challenges in pregnant cancer patients and their partners

AU - Huis in 't Veld, Evangeline A.

AU - van Gerwen, Mathilde

AU - van Dijk-Lokkart, Elisabeth M.

AU - Vandenbroucke, Tineke

AU - Dandis, Rana

AU - LeJeune, Charlotte L.

AU - van Assche, Indra

AU - Cardonick, Elyce

AU - Peters, Inge T.A.

AU - Fagotti, Anna

AU - Lok, Christianne

AU - Boere, Ingrid

AU - de Boer, Marjon A.

AU - Suelmann, Britt B.M.

AU - Gordijn, Sanne J.

AU - Ottevanger, Nelleke

AU - Mhallem, Mina

AU - Bekkers, Ruud

AU - Tummers, Philippe

AU - Chieffo, Daniela

AU - van Grotel, Martine

AU - Van Calsteren, Kristel

AU - Heuvel-Eibrink, Marry M.van den

AU - Amant, Frédéric

N1 - Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2026 Huis in 't Veld, van Gerwen, van Dijk-Lokkart, Vandenbroucke, Dandis, LeJeune, van Assche, Cardonick, Peters, Fagotti, Lok, Boere, de Boer, Suelmann, Gordijn, Ottevanger, Mhallem, Bekkers, Tummers, Chieffo, van Grotel, Van Calsteren, Heuvel-Eibrink and Amant.

PY - 2026/1/14

Y1 - 2026/1/14

N2 - Objective: Cancer during pregnancy poses significant physical and psychological challenges for expectant mothers and their partners. While elevated stress and anxiety levels in pregnancy are well-documented, the specific parental psychological impact of cancer during pregnancy remains unexplored, and could be different for patients and partners. This study represents the first full prospective analysis, complementing earlier retrospective research by analyzing self-reported perspectives and coping strategies among both pregnant cancer patients and their partners. Methods: Participants were prospectively recruited within the International Network on Cancer, Infertility, and Pregnancy (INCIP) across The Netherlands, Belgium, USA and Italy. Participants completed the Cancer and Pregnancy Questionnaire (CPQ), developed by our research team, and a shortened version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Differences in concerns and coping strategies were analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests, Cliff's Delta for effect sizes, and Spearman's correlation analysis. Results: Between 2009 and 2024, 220 patients and 189 partners participated. Compared to partners, patients reported significantly greater concerns about their child's health and the implications of the disease, treatment, and upcoming delivery. Patients exhibited higher use of both adaptive (e.g., Positive Reappraisal, Refocusing) and maladaptive (e.g., Self-blame, Rumination) coping strategies, and a stronger desire to continue the pregnancy. Satisfaction with medical care was similar between groups. Maternal age at diagnosis was linked to maladaptive strategies (Catastrophizing and Blaming Others), while higher gestational age at diagnosis was associated with both adaptive (Positive Refocusing and Positive Reappraisal), and the maladaptive coping strategy Catastrophizing.Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the psychological challenges experienced by pregnant cancer patients and their partners, emphasizing the need for personalized care that includes psychological support from the start.

AB - Objective: Cancer during pregnancy poses significant physical and psychological challenges for expectant mothers and their partners. While elevated stress and anxiety levels in pregnancy are well-documented, the specific parental psychological impact of cancer during pregnancy remains unexplored, and could be different for patients and partners. This study represents the first full prospective analysis, complementing earlier retrospective research by analyzing self-reported perspectives and coping strategies among both pregnant cancer patients and their partners. Methods: Participants were prospectively recruited within the International Network on Cancer, Infertility, and Pregnancy (INCIP) across The Netherlands, Belgium, USA and Italy. Participants completed the Cancer and Pregnancy Questionnaire (CPQ), developed by our research team, and a shortened version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Differences in concerns and coping strategies were analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests, Cliff's Delta for effect sizes, and Spearman's correlation analysis. Results: Between 2009 and 2024, 220 patients and 189 partners participated. Compared to partners, patients reported significantly greater concerns about their child's health and the implications of the disease, treatment, and upcoming delivery. Patients exhibited higher use of both adaptive (e.g., Positive Reappraisal, Refocusing) and maladaptive (e.g., Self-blame, Rumination) coping strategies, and a stronger desire to continue the pregnancy. Satisfaction with medical care was similar between groups. Maternal age at diagnosis was linked to maladaptive strategies (Catastrophizing and Blaming Others), while higher gestational age at diagnosis was associated with both adaptive (Positive Refocusing and Positive Reappraisal), and the maladaptive coping strategy Catastrophizing.Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the psychological challenges experienced by pregnant cancer patients and their partners, emphasizing the need for personalized care that includes psychological support from the start.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105028908950

U2 - 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1696459

DO - 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1696459

M3 - Article

C2 - 41613849

AN - SCOPUS:105028908950

SN - 1664-1078

VL - 16

JO - Frontiers in Psychology

JF - Frontiers in Psychology

M1 - 1696459

ER -

The psychosocial impact of cancer diagnosis in pregnancy: a multicenter cohort study of psychosocial challenges in pregnant cancer patients and their partners

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

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