Pregnancy does not increase the risk of any cancer and fortunately it is rare to be diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy. However, it can happen, occurring approximately once per 1000 pregnancies annually.
Types of cancer during pregnancy
Any type of cancer can occur during pregnancy, but the cancers that are most common are those that typically affect younger non pregnant women and birthing people including:
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Melanoma (a type of skin cancer)
- Lymphoma
- Leukemia
Symptoms of cancer during pregnancy
The signs and symptoms of cancer will be dependent upon the type of disease and pregnancy will not change these. However, cancer that develops during pregnancy is often diagnosed at a later stage because the signs and symptoms often overlap with or are masked by the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy.
Here are some bodily changes commonly experienced in pregnancy that are also a symptom of cancer:
- Breast lumps or changes in the appearance of the breast (breast cancer)
- Vaginal or rectal bleeding (cervical cancer and bowel cancer)
- Moles on the skin getting bigger or new ones developing (skin cancer)
- Tiredness (leukemias and lymphomas)
To prevent a delay in diagnosing cancer the advice is always to consult a doctor as soon as possible about any suspicious symptoms experienced.
Women and birthing people should not postpone seeking medical advice for fear of harming their baby. Most tests to diagnose cancer can normally be done without risk to the baby, and your doctor will discuss this with you. Tests that involve radiation such as bone scans, PET and CT scans will be avoided where possible. A team of specialists will be involved in managing your cancer during your pregnancy.
If you or a loved one are dealing with these difficult circumstances, Mummy’s Star, is a charity dedicated to providing support and assistance for women and birthing people who have been diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy. Please contact them if you wish to seek support. Mummy’s Star | Charity | Cancer and Pregnancy (mummysstar.org)
Please contact us for a no-obligation consultation if you are concerned that a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy was delayed, either prior or during the pregnancy, which you believe was due to medical negligence.