PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, April 28: Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is defined as breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy or in the postpartum period.
Such kind of breast cancer tends to be more aggressive as it is often diagnosed in later stages considering the changes in breast or lumps might be ignored during this time.
According to studies, most women with pregnancy-associated breast cancer report a painless mass in the breast or thickening of the skin of the breast. Delays in the diagnosis may be due to pregnancy-induced breast changes, such as swelling that often makes it difficult to discern a concerning breast mass from a normal breast in a pregnant woman.
In an interview with lagatar24.com, Dr Gunjesh Kumar Singh, Consultant Oncologist at MEDICA shared, “Pregnancy-related breast tumours tend to be larger and of a higher stage than those in non-pregnant women. The signs are the presence of hard painless breast lump, bloody discharge through nipple or nipple inversion, skin changes like thickening or orange peel appearance, lumps in the axilla, asymmetry in both breast sizes.”
Women who become pregnant later in life have an increased risk of breast cancer. In the Nurses’ Health Study, compared with nulliparous women or women who have no child, at or near menopause, the cumulative incidence of breast cancer (up to age 70) was 20 percent lower among women who delivered their first child at age 20; 10 percent lower for those delivering their first child at age 25 years, and 5 percent higher among those delivering their first child at 35 years.
The risk for a nulliparous woman of any age was similar to that of a woman with a first full-term birth at age 35.
According to Dr Gunjesh, first pregnancy below the age of 35 years can help avoid this cancer. “The other factors that help avoid breast cancer are a low-fat dietary pattern, which includes an increase in fruits, vegetables, and grains, regular, moderate physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight may provide modest protection against breast cancer and avoiding smoking and alcohol can also reduce chances of getting breast cancer,” says the oncologist.
“Women in pregnancy or breast-feeding period should not ignore any lump in their breasts. Self-breast examination in pregnancy and lactation periods should be practised. In case any lump is detected, they should urgently consult an oncologist,” says Dr Gunjesh.
Dr Gunjesh suggested some precautions to avoid pregnancy-associated breast cancer:
- Do not ignore any breast lump.
- Consult the doctor immediately in case of any symptoms related to cancer.
- Breastfeeding should be done for one year at least.
- Maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy.
- Eating fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
- Avoiding smoking and alcohol.
