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Breast cancer and pregnancy

Breast cancer is very common during pregnancy, occurring in about 1 in 3,000 pregnant women. The average age of these women is between 32 to 38 years old. The incidence of breast cancer during pregnancy is increases with women who chose to delay their childbearing.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy during pregnancy is not recommended as it increases the risk of birth defects. Therefore, breast biopsy and breast mastectomy are safer for both a mother and a child. It is proved that chemotherapy during second and third trimesters does not increase the risk of birth defects, prematurity or low birth weight. Chemotherapy is not recommended for first trimester of pregnancy due to safety and potential damage to the fetus.

Overall survival rate of pregnant women with breast cancer is lower than in non-pregnant women with breast cancer. This incidence may relate to delay in diagnosis. Termination of pregnancy does not have any positive effect on breast cancer outcome. Therefore, it is not considered to be a treatment option. However, termination of pregnancy may be considered if the treatment options such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy are limited by the continuation of the pregnancy.