New Delhi: A woman’s life is like a roller coaster ride when it comes to their health, where she goes through many ups and downs both physically and mentally but majorly a woman’s life can change during pregnancy. There may be unexpected health issues as well. Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC), a form of cancer identified during pregnancy or within a year after birth, is one such uncommon but dangerous illness. About one out of every 1,000 pregnancies is affected with PABC, which is more aggressive and frequently appears at an advanced stage, making early detection and treatment essential.
Dr Nithin SG, Consultant, Medical Oncology, CK Birla Hospital ®, Delhitold News9“Experts highly advise pregnant women not to ignore any breast lumps or abnormal changes because better results are achieved with early care.”
“The stage of pregnancy has a significant impact on how PABC is treated. Although it is typically advised in the second trimester to lower the risk of miscarriage or premature birth, surgery is still the main treatment option and can be carried out safely throughout pregnancy. Chemotherapy can occasionally be safely given in the second and third trimesters as well. However, because of the increased risk of fetal toxicity, its usage is discouraged during the first trimester. In contrast, radiation therapy is typically avoided during pregnancy in order to shield the developing fetus from dangerous exposure,” added Dr Nithin.
Risk of breast cancer in pregnancy
According to Dr Nithin, “A number of unfavourable pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, early membrane rupture, obstetric haemorrhage, and a higher risk of cesarean deliveries, have been connected to pregnancy-associated breast cancer. These complications further highlight the importance of regular breast evaluations during pregnancy.”
“It is advised that women notify their physicians right away if they see any breast lumps or strange changes. Although receiving a breast cancer diagnosis during pregnancy might be frightening, improvements in medical treatment enable the condition to be treated while putting the health of the mother and the fetus first. The best defence is still early detection, which emphasizes how crucial it is to pay attention to any symptoms.”
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