Barroilhet publishes editorial in Gynecologic Oncology Reports

Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, published an editorial about the intersection of gynecologic cancer care and post-Dobbs restrictions on health care in Gynecologic Oncology Reports. 

In “Editorial on vaginal cancer diagnosed in pregnancy and current abortion law on cancer care in Louisiana”, Barroilhet lays out the ways abortion restrictions can affect treatment options in gynecologic oncology: 

“Current legislation has unique downstream effects for gynecologic oncologists. Cancer complicates 1 in 1000 pregnancies. As our population becomes pregnant later in life, there will be more overlap with cancer diagnoses and pregnancy. The most common cancers diagnosed in pregnancy are breast, lymphoma, colon and gynecologic cancers. Standard of care treatments for these cancers often include chemotherapy and radiation, which can be teratogenic or pregnancy-ending, depending on gestational age. Delays in care can worsen patient outcomes, particularly in cancers that grow quickly, where any delay in systemic chemotherapy adds significant risk to the mother...” 

Barroilhet also discusses impacts on other areas of health care inside and outside ob-gyn, challenges to ob-gyn training programs, and effects on residency applications across specialties. 

Read the whole editorial here.