While breast cancer during pregnancy is very rare, it does happen and early detection can make all the difference.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so now is a good time to talk about being breast aware. This means knowing how your breasts look and feel normally, so that you feel confident about noticing any changes that may be unusual for you. In this blog, I would like to focus on breast awareness during and after pregnancy. While breast cancer during pregnancy is very rare, it does happen and early detection can make all the difference. Research shows that breast cancer is reported in 1 in every 3000 pregnancies. Most of these women are between 32 and 38 years old at diagnosis (Cancer research UK, 2017).
Breast changes in pregnancy
Breast changes are common during pregnancy as your body is gearing up for feeding your baby. Surging pregnancy hormones may cause your breasts to become tender and swollen. Your nipples may become more sensitive and even increase in size. The area around your nipple (the areola) may also darken and grow tiny bumps (Montgomery tubercles). These tiny bumps produce a moisturising oil that helps protect against soreness and infection once you start breastfeeding. All of these changes are a normal part of pregnancy.
However, it is important to seek advice from your doctor if you experience any of the following:
A lump you might notice in your breast or armpit
Dimpling or puckering in the breast skin (like the skin of an orange)
Blood or other discharge from the nipple
Rash or flakiness around the nipple
A change in your nipple position e.g. it has become pulled in
It may be that these signs have a medical underlying cause unrelated to cancer, however, if you have them you should get yourself checked out.
Breast changes after birth
Breastfeeding lowers the risk of developing breast cancer, particularly if you have your children when you are younger. The longer you breastfeed the more the risk is reduced. However, while it is very rare, a small percentage of women develop signs of breast cancer while breastfeeding.
Lactating breasts are often lumpy due to normal breast fullness or occasional plugged ducts, so when should you be concerned? If you have a lump that does not go away after a week or recurs in the same place despite careful treatment for a blocked duct, this needs checking.
In many cases breast lumps are benign tumours (fibromas) or milk-filled cysts (galactoceles), which can be diagnosed and treated whilst you continue to breastfeed. However, it is always best to get yourself checked over, especially if the lump continues to grow, does not move, or is firm and hard and if there is dimpling of the skin.
Regularly check your breasts
The key to detecting any change in how your breasts look and feel, is regularly checking your breasts so that you get used to what your own breasts look and feel like and you will notice a change. Women are their own experts on their own breasts. Breasts (and nipples) come in all shapes and sizes so you will always be better at checking your own breasts than anyone else can be at checking you.
It is important for you to know how to examine your breasts properly so any changes do not go missed. Click here to watch an informative video on how to examine your breasts. The increased breast density in pregnancy and in the lactating breast can make examination more difficult so do seek advice if there is anything that concerns you.
Summary
The importance of checking your breasts during pregnancy should not be understated. While breast cancer during pregnancy is rare, it does happen and early detection can make all the difference. If you are not already doing so, start checking your breasts regularly so that you get used to what your own breasts look and feel like and you can notice any changes. If you do find a lump or see or feel something unusual for you, always get yourself checked by your doctor.
The information in this blog is general and not a substitute for personalised advice from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or your primary health care provider.
For further information or support
Breast Cancer Now
Helpline: 0808 800 6000
Website: breastcancernow.org
Macmillan Cancer support
General enquiries: 020 7840 7840
Helpline: 0808 808 0000
Website: www.macmillan.org.uk
Cancer Research UK
Website: www.cancerresearchuk.org
Helpline (staffed by specialist cancer information nurses): 0808 800 4040
NHS
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