Breast Cancer Associated with Pregnancy Overview

What is Breast Cancer Associated with Pregnancy?

Breast cancer can occur at any time, including during pregnancy. It's the most common form of cancer in pregnancy, affecting approximately one in 3,000 women.

Pregnancy itself does not cause breast cancer, and breast cancer does not spread to the developing fetus.

Due to changing hormones during pregnancy, breast cancer is often found at a later stage in pregnant women.

Although breast cancer treatment during pregnancy is possible, it's more complex due to the possible effects to the developing baby.

Early detection is important.

As soon as you know you are pregnant, ask your doctor or nurse to teach you how to perform a breast exam on yourself. Each prenatal visit should also include a breast exam.

View screening recommendations for women without symptoms or a family history of breast cancer.

Types of Breast Cancer Associated with Pregnancy

Any type of breast cancer can occur during pregnancy, including:

• Ductal carcinoma, ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive ductal carcinoma
• Lobular carcinoma, lobular carcinoma in situ, invasive lobular carcinoma
• Inflammatory breast cancer
• Paget's disease of the nipple

Who's at Risk?

Pregnancy is associated with a specific set of risks for breast cancer, including:

• family history of breast cancer
• family history of late menopause
• first menstruation (menarche) before age 12
• first pregnancy after age 30
• previous pregnancies not followed by breastfeeding

Learn more about the High-Risk Breast Cancer Program at Magee.