​Breast Cancer Associated with Pregnancy

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.

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.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer Associated with Pregnancy

Talk to your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• A change in the size or shape of the breast
• A dimpled, puckered, or "orange-peel" appearance in the skin
• A lump or thickening in or near the breast or under the arm
• A nipple that turns inward
• Fluid — other than breast milk — from the nipple, especially if bloody
• Red or swollen skin on the breast, nipple, or areola (the dark circle of skin around the nipple)

Testing for and Diagnosing Breast Cancer Associated with Pregnancy

Because excessive radiation exposure, maternal anesthesia, or other diagnostic or therapeutic approaches may harm a developing baby, you and your doctor will need to discuss risk factors and possible outcomes in detail.

Some procedures may not be appropriate during pregnancy.

Experts at the Magee-Womens Breast Cancer Program use a variety of tests and procedures to diagnose and screen for breast cancer, including:

Treating Breast Cancer Associated with Pregnancy

If you're diagnosed with breast cancer associated with pregnancy, treatment will depend upon many variables:

• Your physical and emotional health
• The stage of your pregnancy
• The health of your developing baby
• The results of your tests

Your doctors and other specialists at the Magee-Womens Breast Cancer Program will work with you to discuss risk factors, consider your options, and determine a course of action.

Treatment Options for Breast Cancer Associated with Pregnancy

Surgery is often the primary treatment for breast cancer.

In many cases, we may also recommend additional therapies before (neo adjuvant) or after (adjuvant) surgery to control an aggressive cancer or to reduce the risk of recurrence. We do not recommend radiation therapy for pregnant women, due to the potential harm to the fetus.

Procedures and treatments for breast cancer may include: