Pregnancy is a very special and hopeful time in every woman's life. But with so many changes happening in the body during this time, sometimes there can be things that make you feel scared and doubtful. Breast cancer during pregnancy is a very rare occurrence. So don't be unnecessarily scared after reading this. However, being properly informed about it is very important for your health and that of your baby. So let's talk a little about this today.
Why is breast cancer difficult to detect during pregnancy?
Simply put, when you become pregnant, your body's hormone levels change dramatically. These hormones prepare your breasts to produce milk for your baby. This causes your breast tissue to thicken, become slightly larger, and you may even feel a difference when you touch it.
Think of it like looking for a small pebble hidden in a thick blanket. Similarly, due to the natural changes that occur in the breasts, even a small new lump is more likely to go unnoticed. For this reason, sometimes when breast cancer is detected during pregnancy, it may already be advanced or have reached a serious stage.
That's why we always say to immediately inform your doctor about any changes in your breasts throughout pregnancy , especially a new lump. It could be normal, but it's best to get checked out.
How exactly do you find this situation?
The best thing you can do during your pregnancy is to attend your antenatal clinics regularly. At these clinics, your doctor will check you and your baby regularly. Sometimes, the doctor will also check your breasts to see if there are any changes.
If a suspicious lump is found, the doctor may recommend further tests.
| Test | What do you do with it? |
|---|---|
| Mammogram | This is an X-ray test that is specific to the breasts. Although it is generally considered safe to do during pregnancy, the results may not be as clear because the breasts are thicker. |
| Ultrasound Scan | Sound waves are used to check the nature of the lump (such as whether it is solid or fluid-filled). This is a very safe test that does not harm the baby. |
| Biopsy | This is the only way to be 100% sure whether it is cancer or not. Here, a very small piece of tissue is taken from the suspicious lump using a needle or through a small incision and examined under a microscope to confirm whether there are cancer cells. |
What will happen to my baby if I have cancer?
I understand how scared you must be when you hear this question. But keep this in mind:
Pregnancy does not cause breast cancer. However, hormones released during pregnancy can cause pre-existing small cancer cells to grow more rapidly. Also, cancer in your body cannot be passed on to your baby.
However, cancer treatments can have some effects on the baby. Therefore, doctors always try to plan treatment in a way that causes minimal harm to both you and the baby.
What are the treatments?
Surgery
Surgery is generally safe at any time during pregnancy. If the cancer is in the early stages, your doctor may recommend removing only the lump ( lumpectomy ) or removing the entire breast ( mastectomy ).
- Within the first 6 months (first and second trimester): Removal of the entire breast ( mastectomy ) is usually considered preferable.
- Last 3 months (third trimester): Lumpectomy surgery to remove only the lump may also be considered during this time.
Radiation Therapy
Because this treatment can be harmful to the baby, it is often started after delivery.
Chemotherapy
This is the treatment that many people fear. Chemotherapy is a powerful drug that kills cancer cells . Because these drugs can affect the baby, doctors often don't start this treatment until after the first 3 months. After the first 3 months, when the baby's major organs are developing, doctors may decide to give this treatment in the second and third trimesters to minimize the impact on the baby.
Making decisions about these treatments is a very sensitive and difficult thing to do. It is important to talk openly about this with your family, especially your oncologist and obstetrician , to decide what is best and safest for you and your baby.
Can you breastfeed a baby if you have cancer?
Having cancer does not mean you have to stop breastfeeding your baby. Stopping breastfeeding will not cure the cancer.
However, the main problem here is the treatment you are receiving. If you are taking strong treatments like chemotherapy , those drugs can pass into your baby's body through breast milk. It can be very harmful to the baby. Therefore, doctors advise you to avoid breastfeeding while undergoing chemotherapy.
Therefore, before making a single decision about this, be sure to talk to your doctor and get advice on what is best for you and your baby.
Take-Home Message
- Be aware of the natural changes that occur in your breasts during pregnancy. Report any unusual, new lumps or changes to your doctor immediately.
- Pregnancy does not cause breast cancer, but hormonal changes during pregnancy can accelerate the growth of existing cancer.
- Cancer is not transmitted from mother to child, but cancer treatments (especially chemotherapy and radiation therapy) can affect the baby.
- Surgery is generally safe during pregnancy, and other treatments are carefully planned by doctors to minimize harm to the mother and baby.
- Avoid breastfeeding while undergoing strong treatments such as chemotherapy. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor before making any decisions.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts here.
Add Your Comment