Can breast cancer occur during pregnancy?

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It is uncommon for breast cancer to manifest during pregnancy, but there are cases in which the diagnosis occurs at this very important moment in a woman's life. Only 3% of breast cancer cases were diagnosed during pregnancy or within a year of childbirth. However, the concern remains, as these numbers are increasing every year. Nowadays, women have been increasingly postponing the time of pregnancy and the average age of women who decide to have their first child reaches 35 years. This may be one of the reasons why there is an increase in breast cancer diagnoses during pregnancy, which is not related to pregnancy but to age - as the risk of the disease increases as they get older - and other factors of risk.

Certainly, this is not an easy period for women to receive news like this, precisely for this reason, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of careful monitoring together with an oncologist, gynecologist and obstetrician in order to keep the routine of medical examinations up to date. This routine must also include breast exams during the pregnancy period. The symptoms for breast cancer in pregnant women are the same as those in non-pregnant patients, so when you notice any change in the breast, it is best to seek a doctor and order the breast exams.

The biggest problem for the correct diagnosis is because during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breasts undergo changes in density, size and shape. These changes, which are natural to pregnant women, make it difficult to detect tumors. For this moment, breast ultrasound is the most indicated. In selected cases, mammography may be performed, but a lead apron should be used to protect the pregnant woman's belly.