The incidence of cancer is pregnancy is about 1:6000 live births. This is much lower (about 50%) than that in nonpregnant women because fewer women would fall pregnant if they were aware of the diagnosis. The diagnosis can often be delayed in pregnant women as symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, backache and feeling unwell can be attributed to the pregnancy itself. In addition, often treatment may have to be delayed to achieve fetal maturity and this is mostly guided by the woman’s wishes. Despite these facts, there does not appear to be any difference in the stage-for-stage survival and mortality figures and the prognosis. The recent CEMACH report introduced a new section on maternal deaths due to cancers, summarising the lessons learnt as most deaths were either indirect or late; many not being reported as patients lost touch with the midwifery team. Overall, 28 cases were reported to the enquiry in the last triennium. Some cancers, particularly those that are hormone dependent, can grow rapidly in pregnancy, but factors related to tumour growth in relation to the dynamic changes in the endocrine and physiological changes in pregnancy is still poorly understood.