Breast Cancer During Pregnancy - Its Diagnosis & Treatment!

Breast cancer is among the most common malignancy during pregnancy. Breast cancer during pregnancy or first postpartum year is not caused due to pregnancy but the hormonal changes during this period which can escalate its growth. Women’s breast gets thick during pregnancy which makes it difficult to spot lumps or masses. Due to the thickened breast, cancer tumors during pregnancy get unnoticed and hence get diagnosed at an advanced stage. Therefore, it becomes important for women during pregnancy to examine their breast especially if they find any lump or symptoms.

Diagnosis - 

Women during pregnancy and in the first postpartum year should visit the doctor regularly not only for the baby’s health but for their health also. They should not ignore the breast examination especially when they find lumps or symptoms of the tumor.

Diagnosis of the Breast Cancer is done using some lab examinations and tests by the doctor:

• Triple Assessment is a method for the diagnosis of Breast Cancer which refers to the breast examination of the women by the doctor.

• An ultrasound scan which involves high-frequency sound waves for developing the image of the breast. This ultrasound scan is absolutely safe for the baby.

• Sometimes Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI is also used to detect early changes in the breast. MRI scan involves radio waves and magnetic fields to develop images. MRI is safe to perform especially after the first trimester or three months of the pregnancy.

In these tests, if the doctor finds some suspicious lump in the breast, then a biopsy is performed.

Treatment -

Usually, surgery is considered safe during any trimester. Cancer in the early stage can be removed either through mastectomy or removal of the entire breast or through lumpectomy or removal of the affected tissues. Mastectomy is preferred during the first and second trimester and Lumpectomy is preferred for the women in their third trimester of the pregnancy. Generally, Radiation Therapy is not preferred or performed until the childbirth as it can harm the baby. If the patient is required to undergo Chemotherapy, it can only be performed after the first trimester to reduce its risks of harming the baby.

It is alright to breastfeed the baby by the mother having breast cancer. Mothers with breast cancer should consult the doctor about lactation to ensure the health of the baby. But if the mother is going through chemotherapy then she should not continue breastfeeding the baby as a number of powerful chemo drugs can be transported to the baby through the milk.

Take Away -

Breast cancer developing during pregnancy or in the first postpartum year is often referred to as Pregnancy-Associated or Related Breast Cancer. It is not the result of pregnancy but can be escalated due to the hormonal changes during this period in women. There are a number of lab examinations which are used to diagnose breast cancer and treatment for the same is preferred according to the period of pregnancy and the severity of cancer.