What to know about breast cancer in pregnancy

Pregnancy can make breasts feel fuller and more lumpy, which may make a new change harder to assess. A persistent lump, skin change, or nipple change still needs examination. Ultrasound is often useful, and the team will choose any further imaging with pregnancy safety in mind. A biopsy can identify the cancer type and features that guide treatment.

Care usually involves an oncology team and maternity specialists. Decisions depend on the cancer’s size and spread, tumour features, pregnancy stage, and your wishes. A diagnosis does not automatically mean that pregnancy must end.

Ask for a coordinated appointment so the cancer team and obstetric team can agree on investigations, treatment timing, medicines, and fetal monitoring. Some chemotherapy may be considered after the early stage of pregnancy, while certain treatments and radiotherapy are generally postponed until after delivery. Surgical timing is individual. Discuss delivery planning, breastfeeding, fertility, and emotional support early.

Contact your maternity or breast care team promptly for a breast lump that persists, bloody nipple discharge, nipple pulling inward, dimpling, redness that does not settle, or a wound on the breast. Seek urgent maternity care for heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fluid leakage, or reduced fetal movement according to your maternity team’s advice.

What tests are appropriate at my stage of pregnancy? What does the biopsy show? Which treatments can be given now, and which should wait until after delivery? How will the baby be monitored? What are my options for delivery, breastfeeding, fertility, and support?