methotrexate in states where that drug’s prescription could run afoul of abortion restrictions, according to news reports.
That’s led to objections from the American College of Rheumatology, the Lupus Foundation of America and the Arthritis Foundation, since methotrexate is also used to treat autoimmune disorders.
“It’s the legal teams at hospitals and pharmacies that are making some of these decisions, not doctors,” Gralow points out. “We’re hearing about cases of people not getting their drugs renewed at the high doses we give.”
Another concern is the effect that newer cancer treatments might have on the fetus, Knudsen says.
“We are in an unprecedented time in cancer care, with an onslaught of new discoveries that have allowed us to reduce cancer mortality by 32% since 1991,” Knudsen adds.
However, while targeted therapies and immunotherapies have revolutionized treatment for cancer, it’s not known how those treatments could affect the fetus.
“Pregnant patients are not included in clinical trials, so we actually have no data on which to say whether or not it would be safe for someone who is pregnant,” Knudsen shares. “If the goal is to maintain a successful pregnancy, we don’t know whether those new therapies could have an unintended consequence of inducing a spontaneous abortion [miscarriage].”
Because of all these questions, cancer groups are concerned that doctors might be more timid in