Many mothers may be worried about breast cancer during pregnancy because this type of cancer can happen to anyone. And breast cancer detection during pregnancy may be later than in the general population. This is because a mother’s breasts become firm and larger during pregnancy, causing the cancer cells to expand and be classified as advanced when detected.
Symptoms of breast cancer during pregnancy that are common include: an abnormal lump when feeling the breast, around the breast or under the armpit; a dimpled breast; wrinkled or orange-peel-like skin on the breast; an indented nipple; a change in the shape or size of the breast; clear or bloody discharge from the nipple; scaly skin on the nipple, areola, or breast; redness or swelling.
Observing and monitoring breast abnormalities during pregnancy will help mothers get diagnosed and treated more quickly.
Safe Diagnosis of Breast Cancer During Pregnancy
Diagnosing breast cancer during pregnancy may involve a combination of physical examination and safe methods for pregnant mothers, as follows:
Ultrasound
It is a preliminary and safe breast cancer screening during pregnancy. Although this method may not be able to clearly diagnose whether the lump is cancerous or not , it will help the doctor identify whether the lump in the breast is a lump or a cyst. However, ultrasound will help see the spread of cancer and the disease’s response to treatment.
Mammogram
Mammography is a test that uses a safe amount of radiation and the radiation is focused only on the breast. This helps to show the formation of breast calcification, the density of epithelial cells that produce secretions, the thickened skin and tissue in the breast area, and the size of the lymph nodes in the armpit area.
The doctor will use the information to assess and diagnose breast cancer during pregnancy. The doctor will only order the test if the pregnant mother suspects that she has symptoms of breast cancer.
MRI Scan
MRI is a safe way to detect abnormalities in various parts of the body because it does not contain harmful radiation. This method will help doctors confirm the results of the examination more accurately after the examination with a mammogram. However, MRI can be harmful to the fetus, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, it is usually used only when necessary.
Diagnostic biopsy
The doctor will remove a sample of tissue from the lump found in the breast and examine it in a laboratory. The area will be injected with local anesthesia before the biopsy. However, this method carries the risk of infection, excessive bleeding, and milk leakage during the examination.
Safe treatment for breast cancer during pregnancy for mother and child
Your doctor will plan your treatment based on your overall health, location of the cancer, size of the cancer, how far it has spread, the type of breast cancer, and your own needs. Examples of breast cancer treatment during pregnancy include:
Surgery
Surgery is a safe method for pregnant mothers in the early stages. Surgery to treat breast cancer during pregnancy can be divided into 2 main methods: Breast-Conserving Surgery is a surgery that removes only the cancer cells and some surrounding breast tissue. It is often treated with radiation after surgery.
Another type of surgery is mastectomy, which involves removing the entire breast and possibly surrounding lymph nodes. It is usually used when the tumor is large and the mother usually does not need postoperative radiation therapy, as radiation therapy can be harmful to the fetus.
However, the doctor may need to assess other factors before choosing a surgical method, such as the size of the cancer, the spread of the cancer, the gestational age, and other environmental factors.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a safe treatment for pregnant women in the second and third trimesters. It is used after surgery to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Some chemotherapy drugs are safe for the fetus, such as taxanes, doxorubicin, or cyclophosphamide .
The time to start chemotherapy may depend on the gestational age, severity of symptoms, and type of breast cancer during pregnancy. If you are more than 35 weeks pregnant or within 3 weeks of giving birth, your doctor will not recommend chemotherapy because it can be harmful to the development of the baby and your body.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is suitable for patients who have undergone a partial mastectomy, as it can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence, similar to chemotherapy.
However, radiation therapy can cause complications during pregnancy, such as birth defects, slow development, childhood cancer, or miscarriage. Therefore, doctors avoid radiation therapy while the patient is pregnant. Or, if the patient is in the third trimester, the doctor may start radiation therapy after the patient has given birth.
Other treatments such as targeted therapy or hormonal therapy should not be used to treat breast cancer during pregnancy because they can be harmful to the embryo or fetus.
When diagnosed with breast cancer, can I breastfeed?
Women who have breast cancer during pregnancy can breastfeed normally since the symptoms of breast cancer are not related to milk flow. However, to be safe, mothers should consult their doctor before starting breastfeeding. In cases where mothers plan to undergo breast cancer surgery, they should stop breastfeeding to reduce the amount of blood flow in the breasts.
If the mother is receiving chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy for cancer cells, or hormone therapy, she should not breastfeed because the drugs she uses for treatment may contaminate her breast milk.
In addition to observing the signs of breast cancer during pregnancy , pregnant women should also take care of their health in all aspects, including eating nutritious foods such as vegetables, fruits, grains, lean meats or prenatal vitamins, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and using all medications with caution.
Mothers should see a doctor if they experience heavy bleeding, abdominal pain, rapid weight gain, or chronic back pain, as these symptoms could be signs of a medical condition.