What happens if you have breast cancer while pregnant? Can you treat breast cancer while pregnant? Is it OK to have a mammogram while pregnant? It is essential for women who have breast cancer during childbearing age because they may be pregnant or lactating at the time of diagnosis, or they may still want to have children.
Fear is doubled in women with breast cancer during pregnancy because of the possibility of cancer becoming worse and damaging the baby. The question of whether breastfeeding is safe in breast cancer is another question that mothers wonder. Here, we will explain the breast cancer during pregnancy by answering some question every woman worries.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the formation of malignant tumor tissue that results from an uncontrolled proliferation of mammary gland cells. It is the most common type of cancer in women and is rarely seen during pregnancy. But in recent years, maternity has been postponed for various reasons. It can cause an increased risk of breast cancer during pregnancy. You can also look at Breast Cancer: Symptoms and Treatment
Breast Cancer During Pregnancy
Breast tissue changes due to hormonal effect and therefore, the diagnosis of breast cancer becomes difficult during pregnancy. Because of increased hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin during pregnancy, breasts become larger, sensitive, and irregular. Again, breastfeeding women have the same situation. According to studies, there is a statistical delay of 5 to 15 months between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis in pregnant or lactating women. Because of this delay in diagnosis, breast cancer is usually diagnosed at a later stage than non-pregnant women. Statistically, the survival rate for pregnant women with breast cancer is, unfortunately, lower than for non-pregnant women. It is mostly due to delayed diagnosis. If a breast mass is suspected during pregnancy, a general surgeon should be consulted immediately.
Does Breast Cancer Harm The Unborn Baby?
Studies have reported that breast cancer does not affect the unborn child. Cancer cells have no risk of passing from mother to child. However, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are not applied during pregnancy because of the risks to the baby. For the same reason, mammography, tomography, or PET are not used for diagnosis. Radiation-free ultrasound and MRI are preferred for diagnosis.
Breast Cancer Treatment During Pregnancy
Breast cancer treatment during pregnancy varies depending on the size of the cancer tissue, the stage of cancer, and the location of cancer. However, the treatment of breast cancer has become difficult to plan and is different due to the baby. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone treatment cannot be applied. However, if the diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer is diagnosed, pregnancy may need to be terminated, because chemotherapy can be essential. Surgical removal of cancer tissue is usually not a risk for the baby, and cancerous tissue must be removed completely. For radiotherapy is essential after breast-conserving surgery, it cannot be performed.
Breastfeeding During Breast Cancer Treatment?
If the mother is receiving chemotherapy during breast cancer treatment, she should not breast-feed her baby because the medication will pass into the milk. If the surgical procedure is necessary to reduce breast tissue and thus facilitate surgery, you should stop breastfeeding. Another question is whether breastfeeding is possible after breast surgery. It is possible to breastfeed normally after breast-conserving surgery.
Women who have breast cancer treatment and want to have children should wait for the completion of the treatment and discuss this with their doctor before becoming pregnant. Women receiving hormone therapy for breast cancer may need to continue this treatment for many years. Discontinuation of this treatment due to pregnancy may cause cancer recurrence. You should know that pregnancy and IVF treatment may cause cancer recurrence in the types of breast cancer triggered by estrogen hormone.Seven Months Pregnant
