Breast Cancer During Pregnancy

Although it is rare for breast cancer to strike younger women, the fact remains that all women are at risk. And for those of childbearing age, early signs and symptoms of breast cancer leading to a diagnosis can be overwhelming and unexpected, but so complicated.

Develop breast cancer at a younger age for a woman, 40, 30, even 20 years means making decisions on important and difficult life and the future may be much sooner than originally planned.

One concern is the development of breast cancer during pregnancy, although rare, can still occur. In this case, the treatment chosen will not only affect the patient's body, but the baby growing in her way. It depends on what stage of pregnancy, it is (first, second or third quarter) and at what stage the cancer is that whether or not it is advanced.

Most pregnant women can receive treatment for their breast cancer, without affecting the baby. But some may be advised by their obstetrician or health care practitioner, or even decide for themselves to end the pregnancy, especially if the pregnancy is in its infancy, to receive certain treatments that would otherwise be too risky. But it is important to remember that a woman own decision, it is not medically necessary to terminate a pregnancy if the pregnant woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. All it does is to limit treatment options. Breast cancer itself will not affect the fetus that some tests and treatments.

In general, tamoxifen, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other treatments related to drugs are avoided if the woman is pregnant due to risk of birth defects. Tamoxifen, in particular, is considered very dangerous because it is a hormonal therapy is not recommended if the woman is pregnant or planning to conceive.

Surgery-either a lumpectomy or mastectomy, is the method most common and preferred treatment for breast cancer in pregnant women.

Another concern is whether or not breast cancer can or should continue to have children after treatment and recovery. This is a very controversial issue with strong advocates on both sides of the debate.

There are two main issues, both for the medical community and health and breast cancer survivors who want their own children: 1) Do some treatments against breast cancer on fertility? And 2) Is it really considered safe to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term after breast cancer and treatment of breast cancer?

In terms of fertility is, there is no definitive answer here. For chemotherapy, it depends on the age and the specific drug was used, some affect fertility more than others. And taking tamoxifen after chemotherapy to prevent recurrence is not recommended if the woman wishes to become pregnant right away. Although tamoxifen is sometimes used as a fertility treatment, there is evidence to suggest that damages the developing embryo, and is not considered safe to use.

Many doctors caution these women to wait several years for receiving the best possible treatment for breast cancer and go beyond the point of greatest threat of recurrence of breast cancer. But some women decide to go ahead and have babies anyway, because it is so important to them.