A breast cancer diagnosis can lead to many questions and concerns for a pregnant or breastfeeding mother.

What type of treatments are available? Are chemotherapy and other cancer treatments safe for my baby and me? And will breastfeeding my baby still be an option, and what are the risks?

Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths and misinformation surrounding the treatment of breast cancer during pregnancy and lactation.

August is National Breastfeeding Month, and on this episode of The Breast of Everything, Dr. Eric Brown sits down to discuss the importance of shared decision-making in delivering optimal breast cancer care for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

He walks us through the different types of oncologic breast surgical procedures available and explains the safest chemo and drug therapy options for women in all stages of pregnancy and lactation.

Listen in to learn about the myths associated with breast cancer in pregnant and lactating women, and the importance of shared decision-making to determine the best treatment options for you and your baby.

Key Takeaways

Why radiation therapy is contraindicated for pregnant women

The different mastectomy options and their outcomes for breastfeeding

What are the options for obtaining the health benefits of breastfeeding for post-mastectomy patients and their babies

Why Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is safe for pregnant women (but not those breastfeeding)

The safety concerns of antiestrogen therapy for hormone-positive breast cancers and pregnancy

Why aromatase inhibitors (Tamoxifen) are contradicted during breastfeeding

How to determine when pregnancy after breast cancer treatment is the safest decision

Connect with Dr. Brown

The Breast of Everything

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Email [email protected]

Resources

National Breastfeeding Month

Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine

United States Lactation Consultant Association: USLCA