| It is of prime importance that the | | | | certain forms of chemotherapy from three |
| obstetrician's take a thorough breast | | | | months onwards. This may be continued |
| examination of pregnant women to detect | | | | after the baby is born, although mothers |
| breast cancer. Often, the diagnosis is | | | | should not breast feed their babies |
| delayed because doctors and pregnant | | | | while they are having chemotherapy. |
| women assume that lumps in the breast | | | | Treatments are planned around the |
| are due to normal hormonal changes. | | | | expected delivery date and are |
| The threat of breast cancer is upsetting | | | | administered as close to term as |
| for anyone, particularly during | | | | possible, Through the process, |
| pregnancy, but it is not uncommon. | | | | oncologists communicate regularly with a |
| Pregnant women and physicians should | | | | woman's obstetrician. A substantially |
| become more aware of the risk associated | | | | greater number of pregnant women have |
| with cancer. The obstetricians are | | | | been treated now than ever before, |
| usually more focused on the health of | | | | providing a growing confidence in the |
| the unborn baby than the mother's | | | | safety and positive outcome of |
| possible illness but should be more | | | | chemotherapy for pregnant breast cancer |
| aware of the risk of breast cancer. | | | | patients Carter and baby Emma are |
| Women should examine their breasts | | | | perfect examples. Weighing 5 pounds, 14 |
| regularly and tell their doctor about | | | | ounces, Emma entered the world with a |
| any changes they discover. | | | | "full head of hair," laughs Carter, who |
| Not only is diagnosis often delayed, but | | | | says she was "completely bald" when her |
| there is a high rate of false-negative | | | | "miracle child" was born. |
| results of a mammography due to the | | | | Overall survival of pregnant women with |
| increased density of the breast during | | | | breast cancer may be worse than in non |
| pregnancy. | | | | pregnant women at all stages however, |
| Ultrasonogaphy is the best way to check | | | | this may be due primarily to delayed |
| for cancerous lumps in pregnant and | | | | diagnoses. Termination of pregnancy has |
| lactating women. Many studies have shown | | | | not been shown to have any beneficial |
| that the tumors in pregnant women are | | | | effect on breast cancer outcome and is |
| larger and are more likely to spread. | | | | not usually considered as a therapeutic |
| Pregnant women should be encouraged to | | | | option. Termination of pregnancy, |
| know that treatment is as successful and | | | | however, may be considered, based on the |
| safe as in non-pregnant women. Surgery | | | | age of the fetus, and if maternal |
| is the best route although there is a | | | | treatment options, such as chemotherapy |
| small risk of premature labor. Radiation | | | | and radiation therapy, are significantly |
| therapy is not offered during pregnancy | | | | limited by the continuation of the |
| but patients can be safely treated with | | | | pregnancy. |