Finding Breast Cancer During Pregnancy
Photo by Lisa Fotios under Pexels License
What Happens When You Discover You Have Breast Cancer While Pregnant?
Going through a pregnancy is an experience like no other. You are filled with joy, anticipation, and a touch of trepidation for the road that lies ahead. Then again, it can also bring worry and fear.
One of those fears might be the possibility, no matter how remote, that you could develop breast cancer during your pregnancy. It’s an incredibly rare occurrence that affects only one in every 1,000 pregnancies. Despite its rarity, however, it’s something that many moms-to-be worry about as they get ready to welcome a new life into the world.
While a breast cancer diagnosis will undoubtedly upset any pregnant woman, it’s important to know that there are effective ways to treat the disease even during such critical times.
Breast Cancer Car Donations takes a look at what breast cancer screening looks like during pregnancy and how you’ll receive care if you’re found to have it. We’ll also offer some tips on how to stay proactive in monitoring your health so you can be prepared if the unthinkable happens.
Let’s get started.
Breast Cancer During Pregnancy
Breast cancer may be harder to detect when a woman is pregnant since changes in her hormone levels cause changes in the breasts. They become larger, tender, and/or lumpy, making it more difficult for you or your doctor to notice a cancerous lump until it gets bigger.
Another reason why detecting breast cancer during pregnancy isn’t easy is that many women would prefer to postpone their mammogram screening until they give birth. And, even if they do undergo screening, pregnancy and breastfeeding tend to make the breast tissue denser, which means the doctor won’t be able to catch signs of early cancer on the mammogram.
Diagnosing Breast Cancer in Pregnant Women
Despite the difficulty in detecting and diagnosing breast cancer during pregnancy, there are several ways to do so, enabling the patient to get the care she needs as soon as possible.
The doctor may advise the patient to take periodic breast self-exams and to have monthly checkups where they will conduct a physical exam on her. During the checkup, the doctor will check for any lumps or irregularities in the patient’s breasts. They may also recommend a mammogram and ultrasound of the suspected area just to be sure.
For women who have a family history of breast cancer, genetic testing may be an option as well. This will identify certain genes that increase the risk of breast cancer.
If any suspicious lumps or other abnormalities are found, the doctor may recommend a biopsy to determine whether it is cancerous or not. They will likely suggest that the biopsy be performed with a needle to reduce the risk of any harm coming to the baby.
In some cases, doctors may recommend a surgical biopsy if they deem it necessary to have an accurate diagnosis. However, this type of procedure should only be done after careful consideration and in consultation with both the patient’s obstetrician and oncologist.
Treating Breast Cancer in Pregnant Women
Treatment for breast cancer during pregnancy is similar to that of non-pregnant women, but with some modifications. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, targeted biologic therapies, or combinations of these treatments may be used.
The healthcare team — which consists of oncologists, obstetricians, and midwives — will be the ones to decide which treatment is the right one for the patient. The type of treatment will depend on three factors:
1. The patient’s needs and wishes
2. The type of breast cancer and its severity
3. The trimester the patient is in
- Surgery
Breast cancer during pregnancy can be treated with a simple surgical procedure called lumpectomy. The goal of the operation is to remove all or part of the tumor while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Additional treatments may be recommended following the surgery, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
- Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves using certain medications to destroy cancer cells in the body. They are delivered intravenously and can affect both healthy and cancerous cells. Since the treatment can harm the baby or even cause a miscarriage, doctors would administer it in the second or third trimester.
- Radiation therapy
In radiotherapy, doses of radiation are used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. This treatment is normally performed post-delivery to protect the baby from radiation exposure. In cases where it needs to be done during pregnancy, doctors will use external beam radiation to ensure the fetus stays safe.
- Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy uses hormones to slow or stop cancer cell growth. It is usually used in conjunction with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. Doctors may recommend hormone therapy for women with estrogen-receptor-positive tumors.
If you’re pregnant and have been diagnosed with breast cancer, stay positive and put your trust in your healthcare team. They will work with you to come up with the best treatment plan that takes into account your needs, as well as those of your baby. With the right care, you can fight breast cancer during pregnancy and come out the other side stronger than ever.
Transform Your Old Car into a Cancer-Fighting Weapon
If you’d like to help the destitute women in your area who are fighting off breast cancer, consider donating any vehicle you can spare to us at Breast Cancer Car Donations. We’ll use your donation to help save their lives.
Our team will sell your car through an auction and use the proceeds to support reputable cancer-fighting nonprofit organizations that we’ve partnered with. These IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofits use the funding that we give them to provide uninsured and underprivileged breast cancer patients with financial assistance to help cover the costs of their full treatment, doctor consultations, hospital fees, medications, follow-up care, and other essential healthcare services they need.
Our charity partners also provide their beneficiaries with easy access to top cancer centers where they can get free breast cancer screening and diagnosis. Moreover, they are also active in promoting breast cancer awareness and providing prevention, education, and counseling services to the public.
Our donation process is far from complicated. We’ll handle everything for you including all the paperwork and the free towing of your vehicle from any location in the United States.
Within days following the sale of your vehicle, we’ll send you your 100% tax-deductible sales receipt via mail so that you can claim the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season.
Besides the material rewards that you’ll get for your charitable contribution, you’ll also be privileged to experience a deep sense of personal fulfillment knowing that your donation will help save lives.
You can donate almost any type of vehicle whatever its age or condition.
For more information on our donation program, including our quick and easy donation process, head over to our FAQs page. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call us anytime through our toll-free hotline at 866-540-5069 or message us here.
Photo by Leeloo Thefirst under Pexels License
Help Breast Cancer Sufferers Overcome Their Struggles Today
Your vehicle donation can help save the lives of breast cancer-stricken women in your community. Make your move now. Call Breast Cancer Car Donations at 866-540-5069 or fill out our online donation form here today!