While it is uncommon as breast cancer
to affect younger women, the reality persists that whole women are at danger.
And as those of childbirth age, the beginning sign and symptoms of breast
cancer greatest to a diagnosing can't alone be disturbing and unforeseen, but
refined besides.
Explicating breast cancer at a younger
age—in a woman’s 40s, 30s, even 20s—will intend making crucial and hard
decisions almost one’s aliveness and later perhaps often earlier than in the
beginning anticipated.
One fear is breaking breast cancer
during maternity, which while rare, can calm occur. In this cause, the
treatment decided will not only impact the patient and her body, but the growth
child inside her as well. It wish ride what stage of pregnancy she's in (first,
second or third trimester) and what level her cancer is in—such as whether or not
it’s advanceAlthough it is rare for breast cancer to strike younger women, the
fact remains that all women are at danger. And for those of childbearing age,
the first sign and symptoms of breast cancer leading to a diagnosis can not
only be disturbing and forced, but complicated besides.
Developing breast cancer at a younger
age—in a woman’s 40s, 30s, even 20s—will mean making important and difficult
decisions about one’s life and future perhaps much sooner than originally
expected.
One concern is developing breast
cancer during pregnancy, which although rare, can still occur. In this case,
the treatment chosen will not only affect the patient and her body, but the
growing baby inside her as well. It will depend on what stage of pregnancy she
is in (first, second or third trimester) and what stage her cancer is in—such
as whether or not it’s advanced.
Most pregnant women can have treatment
for their breast cancer without affecting the baby. But some might be advised
by their obstetrician or health-care practitioner—or even decide themselves—to
terminate the pregnancy, more so if the pregnancy is in its earlier stages, in
order to receive certain treatments that would be too risky otherwise. But it
is essential to remember that it is a woman’s own decision—it is not medically
necessary to terminate a pregnancy if the expectant mother is diagnosed with
breast cancer. All it does is limit treatment options. Breast cancer itself
will not affect the fetus—only certain tests and treatments will.
Generally speaking, tamoxifen,
chemotherapy, radiation, and other drug-related therapies are avoided if the
woman is pregnant because of their associated risks with birth defects.
Tamoxifen, especially, is considered very unsafe because it is a hormonal
therapy and is never recommended if the woman is pregnant or planning on
conceiving.
Surgery—either a lumpectomy or
mastectomy—is the most common and preferred method of treatment for breast
cancer in pregnant women.
Another concern is whether or not
breast cancer survivors can or should go on to have children after treatment
and recovery. It’s a very controversial issue with firm advocates on both sides
of the debate.
There are two main questions here, for
both the medical and health community and breast cancer survivors wanting their
own children: 1) Do certain breast cancer treatments affect fertility?; and 2)
Is it actually considered safe to conceive and carry a baby to term following
breast cancer and breast cancer treatments?
As far as fertility goes, there is no
definite answer here. For chemotherapy, it depends on the age and what specific
drug was used—some affect fertility more than others. And taking tamoxifen
after chemotherapy to prevent recurrence is not recommended if the woman
desires to become pregnant right away. Although tamoxifen is sometimes used as
a fertility treatment, there is evidence to suggest that it damages developing
embryos, and therefore is not considered safe to use.
Many doctors caution these women to
wait several years to ensure receiving the best breast cancer treatment
possible and to go past the point of the biggest threat of breast cancer
recurrence. But some women decide to go ahead and have babies anyway, since
it’s so important to them.
.
Most pregnant women can have treatment
for their breast cancer without affecting the baby. But some might be advised
by their obstetrician or health-care practitioner—or even decide themselves—to
terminate the pregnancy, more so if the pregnancy is in its earlier stages, in
order to receive certain treatments that would be too risky otherwise. But it
is essential to remember that it is a woman’s own decision—it is not medically
necessary to terminate a pregnancy if the expectant mother is diagnosed with
breast cancer. All it does is limit treatment options. Breast cancer itself
will not affect the fetus—only certain tests and treatments will.
Generally speaking, tamoxifen,
chemotherapy, radiation, and other drug-related therapies are avoided if the
woman is pregnant because of their associated risks with birth defects.
Tamoxifen, especially, is considered very unsafe because it is a hormonal
therapy and is never recommended if the woman is pregnant or planning on
conceiving.
Surgery—either a lumpectomy or
mastectomy—is the most common and preferred method of treatment for breast
cancer in pregnant women.
Another concern is whether or not
breast cancer survivors can or should go on to have children after treatment
and recovery. It’s a very controversial issue with firm advocates on both sides
of the debate.
There are two main questions here, for
both the medical and health community and breast cancer survivors wanting their
own children: 1) Do certain breast cancer treatments affect fertility?; and 2)
Is it actually considered safe to conceive and carry a baby to term following
breast cancer and breast cancer treatments?
As far as fertility goes, there is no
definite answer here. For chemotherapy, it depends on the age and what specific
drug was used—some affect fertility more than others. And taking tamoxifen
after chemotherapy to prevent recurrence is not recommended if the woman
desires to become pregnant right away. Although tamoxifen is sometimes used as
a fertility treatment, there is evidence to suggest that it damages developing
embryos, and therefore is not considered safe to use.
Many doctors caution these women to
wait several years to ensure receiving the best breast cancer treatment
possible and to go past the point of the biggest threat of breast cancer
recurrence. But some women decide to go ahead and have babies anyway, since
it’s so important to them.