Incidence and outcomes of pregnancy-associated cancer in Australia, 1994-2008: a population-based linkage study

Please cite this paper as: Lee Y, Roberts C, Dobbins T, Stavrou E, Black K, Morris J, Young J. Incidence and outcomes of pregnancy‐associated cancer in Australia, 1994–2008: a population‐based linkage study. BJOG 2012;119:1572–1582. Objective To determine trends in pregnancy‐associated cancer and associations between maternal cancer and pregnancy outcomes. Design Population‐based cohort study. Setting New South Wales, Australia, 1994–2008. Population A total of 781 907 women and their 1 309 501 maternities. Methods Cancer and maternal information were obtained from linked cancer registry, birth and hospital records for the entire population. Generalised estimating equations with a logit link were used to examine associations between cancer risk factors and pregnancy outcomes. Main outcome measures Incidence of pregnancy‐associated cancer (diagnosis during pregnancy or within 12 months of delivery), maternal morbidities, preterm birth, and small‐ and large‐for‐gestational‐age (LGA). Results A total of 1798 new cancer diagnoses were identified, including 499 during pregnancy and 1299 postpartum. From 1994 to 2007, the crude incidence rate of pregnancy‐associated cancer increased from 112.3 to 191.5 per 100 000 maternities (P