Gestational Breast Cancer (PABC)

Dr. Chapa’s Clinical Pearls.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States (with skin cancer are the most common). About 9% of all new cases of breast cancer in the United States are found in women younger than 45 years of age. Unfortunately, breast cancer is being diagnosed in women under 40 at an increased rate. This was recently published in a Jan 2024 JAMA population-based, cross-sectional study using data from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Every year, more than 1,000 women under age 40 die from breast cancer. Nearly 80% of young women diagnosed with breast cancer find their breast abnormality themselves. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. According to US statistics, Breast cancer occurs about once in every 3,000 pregnancies, with some reports stating it may be as high as 1 in 1,000. For those under the age of 40, most are diagnosed between the ages 32 to 38 years. Because many women are choosing to delay having children, it is likely that the number of new cases of breast cancer during pregnancy will increase. In this episode, we’re going to look at breast cancer in reproductive age women with a focus on gestational breast cancer. Is MMG contraindicated in pregnancy? Can chemotherapy be used during pregnancy? What about radiation therapy? And is it better to have a complete mastectomy or breast conservation, during pregnancy? Listen in for details.