Pregnancy And Cancer.A pregnant woman I know just found out she has cancer. Isn't this uncommon?
You're right; cancer during pregnancy is rare. Fortunately, many cancers in women occur after menopause, which lowers the likelihood of cancer in pregnancy. However, cancer does occasionally occur during pregnancy. I hate to think about cancer during pregnancy. Should I be concerned about it?
It's not a pleasant subject to think about or to discuss, and most women don't need to be concerned about it. However, it's better to be aware that these problems occur than to know nothing about them.
What is the most common type of cancer discovered during pregnancy?
The most common cancer found is breast cancer. Gynecologic cancers, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma and bone tumors also occur.
Is there any reason these cancers might appear during pregnancy?
Researchers believe there are a couple of reasons cancers could appear during pregnancy. - Some cancers arise from tissues or organs that are influenced by the increase in hormone levels caused by pregnancy.
- Increased blood flow and changes in the lymphatic system may contribute to the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.
I've heard it's harder to find breast cancer during pregnancy. Why.
Changes in the breasts, including breast tenderness, increased size and even lumpiness, may make it harder to discover this type of cancer. Of all women who have breast cancer, about 2% are pregnant when it is diagnosed.
How is breast cancer treated during pregnancy?
Treatment varies: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of treatments may be used.
If a woman has breast cancer, can she breastfeed?
A woman should not breastfeed if she has breast cancer.
Are treatments for cancer during pregnancy dangerous?
Cancer treatments can cause problems. A pregnant woman may experience side effects from the treatment.
I've been having chemotherapy for 6 months and just found out I'm 8 weeks' pregnant. What should I do?
Talk to your doctor immediately! What you do depends on the medications you are taking.
|
