Breast cancer is the most frequent tumor among women. There is a genetic predisposition to develop the disease, but other factors also influence such as becoming a mother for the first time beyond 30 years.
The delay of maternity is linked to the increase of this disease in women and in many cases pregnancy and breast cancer go hand in hand. In fact, more and more pregnant women are diagnosed. It is estimated that 10% of pregnant women over 30 develop breast cancer.
The problem is that breast cancer is more aggressive in pregnant women and that the detection is usually delayed until after delivery, blaming some possible abnormality to the hormonal changes produced in the breasts during pregnancy.
The most common is to relate any change, discomfort or irregularity that may appear in the breasts to the typical changes that the breasts undergo in this period of hormonal revolution.
AdvertisingSpecialists advise, first, to perform self-exams periodically, even during pregnancy and the year after delivery. Any anomaly that is detected consult it immediately with the doctor. However minimal it may seem, it is preferable to consult and remain calm.
It is true that during pregnancy we women are very focused on the evolution of pregnancy but this can cause a delay in diagnosis because of not paying attention to possible signs.
A delay in the consultation causes the diagnosis to be delayed between 5 and 15 months after the onset of symptoms, wasting vital time for the treatment of the tumor and implying an increased risk of metastasis.
If the diagnosis is confirmed, there are safe methods for the fetus to diagnose and treat breast cancer during pregnancy. The oncologist will evaluate in each case which is more convenient for each patient according to the stage of pregnancy.
In conclusion, we can say that women over 30 who plan to become mothers should have a mammogram before becoming pregnant, have breast self-exams during pregnancy and during the year following delivery.
