What are the pregnancy-safe breast cancer treatments?

Hi,

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I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

Pregnancy itself does not appear to worsen the prognosis for women diagnosed with pregnancy as compared to non-pregnancy.

Women presenting with a breast lump during pregnancy should refer to the multidisciplinary team and take advice from these consultants, like breast surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists, histopathologists, anesthetists, and neonatologists. Bone scanning, pelvic X-ray, and computed tomography are not recommended because of the possibility of the effect of radiation on the fetus.

The decision to continue pregnancy should be based on the careful discussion of the cancer prognosis, treatment, and future with a woman and her partner and multidisciplinary team. The multidisciplinary team review outcome should be forwarded to the obstetrics team.

Tamoxifen and Trastuzumab are contraindicated in pregnancy and should not be used. The birth of the baby should be timed after a discussion with a woman and a multidisciplinary team. You should not breastfeed when taking Trastuzumab or Tamoxifen as it is unknown whether these drugs are transmitted in breast milk

Breast surgery mastectomy can be done in the second trimester. Chemotherapy can be done in the second and third trimesters. Woman planning a pregnancy after treatment for breast cancer should consult their clinical oncologist. Women can be reassured that long-term survival after breast cancer is not adversely affected by pregnancy. Echocardiography should be performed during pregnancy in women at risk to detect cardiomyopathy through resting left ventricular ejection.

Advice on the postponement of pregnancy should be individualized and based on treatment needs and prognosis. Most women should wait two years after treatment.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.