Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer during pregnancy

Women who are suffering with breast cancer during pregnancy have tremendous additional strain due to concern for the safety of the unborn child. For mother, it can be a traumatic and extremely difficult situation although the cancer itself cannot spread to and harm the unborn child. The decisions will require the expertise and consultation between the obstetrician, surgeon, medical oncologist, and radiation oncologist. Mothers also need the emotional support of family and friends and may benefit from the professional assistance of a skilled counsellor or psychologist.

The treatment plan will depend on the size of the tumor, its location, and the term of your pregnancy. As with women who are not pregnant, surgery is commonly the first step for treating early stage breast cancer but surgery during pregnancy can be safely performed with little risk to the unborn child, so medical team will most likely proceed by removing the lump with a lumpectomy or mastectomy, and possibly some lymph nodes from under the arm. There are many treatment options such as Chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Chemotherapy treatment may be depending on your cancer type and the stage of your pregnancy and there is specific time during pregnancy that is safe to receive chemotherapy without harming the baby.