Guide to Screening for Breast Cancer during Pregnancy

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Here is a useful guide to screening for breast cancer when you are expecting a baby.

During pregnancy, your breasts go through an enormous amount of change. They become bigger and firmer with the excess fluid that they now carry. This and the development of milk duds means that your breasts are likely to double in size. Yet, screening for breast cancer is as important during the pregnancy stage as it as at any other time in your life.

What to look out for:

With the changing shape and texture of your breasts during pregnancy, it can be difficult to spot the signs early on. The tell-tale sign of a lump in the breast is one of the earliest signs of breast cancer. But, many lumps found in the breast during pregnancy aren’t cancer and are in fact a common occurrence. If you discover a lump in your breast, you need to have it checked out by a doctor and go through the necessary tests to determine exactly what it is. Many women postpone doing this until after they’ve finished breastfeeding. But this can actually be very harmful – especially if the lump is cancer.

Which tests are safe for you and your baby?

1. Ultrasound

Ultrasounds are considered ‘safe’ when screening for breast cancer during pregnancy. Before you undergo a mammogram, an ultrasound is the first logical step. It will help determine whether a lump is a harmless cyst filled with fluid or a solid lump that could be cancerous. But, ultrasounds are unable to tell the difference between a solid lump that is cancer, and a solid lump that is something else.

2. Mammograms

When undergoing screening for breast cancer, mammograms are a very common way of determining whether a lump is cancer.

Because of the small amount of radiation used in mammograms, it’s thought that they are safe for those who are pregnant. And many will allow a light shield to be placed over the lower stomach area as a precautionary measure.

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3. MRI

Although the safety of an MRI is still in question, they are generally thought to be safe when screening for breast cancer during pregnancy. But an MRI that uses contrast dye is not recommended as the dye is capable of crossing the placenta.

An MRI is the next step in determining whether a lump is cancerous and are often used when a lump has come up on a mammogram.

4. Biopsy

Abnormal imagery may cause concern and so a biopsy is the only way to determine for sure whether a specific lump is cancer or not.

This involves taking a small tissue sample from the lump using a needle. The area is numbed beforehand to minimise discomfort and this causes very little risk to your baby. If the biopsy is unable to determine whether or not the tissue sample is cancer, then a surgical biopsy may be required where you will undergo general anaesthesia which can provide a small risk to your baby.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month started in 1985. And the aim has always been to encourage more women to go for regular mammograms. As well as helping them to recognise the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Ladies raising awareness about breast cancer throughout October wear a pink ribbon. And many take part in sponsored events to raise vital funds for cancer charities.

Raising awareness about breast cancer can save lives. Before, many women are not aware of the symptoms of breast cancer and what to do if they suspected they might be suffering from the disease.

Now, many ladies have a much deeper understanding of breast cancer and what they should do if they think they might have it. Thanks to the fantastic awareness-raising efforts of millions of women across the world. You can also join in a multitude of fundraising events that are taking place in your local area throughout October. Perhaps you and your friends will put on a bake sale or garage sale, with all proceeds going to a cancer charity. Or help a local charity by handing out leaflets on the street. Or join a sponsored event that help raise funds that will contribute to cancer research. Whichever way you choose to get involved, it’s important that you do. Countless lives have been saved thanks to raising breast cancer awareness all over the world – but the task is not yet complete. Wherever you are in the world, pledge your support to raising breast cancer awareness today.

Resources:
http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/fert_preg_adopt/bc_pregnancy/screening
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/finding-breast-cancer-during-pregnancy.html