Despite growing evidence indicating that pregnancy-associated cancer (PAC) differs from general cancer in tumour biology, incidence (overall and by subtype), and mortality, PAC screening, diagnosis, and management are not historically guided by dedicated guidelines, which may contribute to suboptimal care. It was only early this year that dedicated Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) and European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines were published for PAC during pregnancy. PAC patients often experience diagnostic and treatment delays due to physiological pregnancy changes, complex clinical decision-making, patient preferences, and concerns regarding foetal or neonatal safety, all of which may adversely affect patient outcomes.
We are conducting a qualitative study exploring clinician and patient perspectives on PAC knowledge and unmet needs. We will translate findings into SoBrave’s PAC education modules for clinicians and patients to improve awareness, diagnostic pathways, and multidisciplinary management of PAC. Then we will assess change in clinical practice, management, and outcomes of PAC following delivery of SoBrave’s education modules.
Participants will be recruited through clinician networks and cancer patient support groups. Written informed consent will be obtained for interviews to be recorded, edited, and published on multiple social media platforms. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted either in-person or online, recorded and transcribed, and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Patient demographics and medical and social histories will be collected. Clinicians’ organisation, job title, and level of expertise will be collected. Perceived measurements will be collected from the same participants before and after SoBrave’s education modules: PAC risk factors, PAC management including diagnosis and treatment pathways, delays and barriers to timely care and possible causes, PAC outcomes, unmet patient and clinician needs. Social media content will be pushed to users who search “unexplained pregnancy symptoms”. Content clicks and retention will be analysed to assess the broader population PAC knowledge gaps.