X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

5 Facts you need to know about cancer during pregnancy

3 min read

Finding out you’re going to become a mom is exciting, but what if the doctor tells you that she found something else? Something that will turn the news quickly bittersweet?

Finding out you have cancer while pregnant can be scary, it can cause anxiety and worry about your child’s future as well as your own. In the past, finding out you have cancer when you’re expecting can feel hopeless. Though more research is needed, scientists have made helpful discoveries regarding the condition.

Here are some quick facts about cancer during pregnancy, which moms and moms-to-be should know.

1. Cancer during pregnancy is rare

Getting cancer while pregnant is uncommon, around 1 in 1,000 pregnant women are diagnosed. The most common of which are breast cancer, cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s disease, malignant melanoma, and leukemia.

2. Pregnancy can delay a cancer diagnosis

Pregnancy brings about many changes, which can often mask certain symptoms. In fact, says Cancer.ca, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, rectal bleeding, fatigue and headaches are cancer symptoms that can also be related to pregnancy.

Their advice is to consult your doctor if a certain symptom persists past a trimester when it is still considered typical.

5 Facts you need to know about cancer during pregnancy

photo: shutterstock

3. Most forms of chemotherapy are “relatively” safe

Though chemotherapy is still possible for diagnosed moms-to-be, some treatments can be risky during the first trimester. In the past, health practitioners would recommend terminating the pregnancy in order to undergo chemo. But these days, careful consideration of the type, location, and stage of cancer as well as the baby’s gestational age, before coming up with a treatment plan, which could include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery.

Each treatment is tailored to suit the needs and wishes of the mom-to-be.

4. Breastfeeding is discouraged during chemotherapy

Although cancer cells cannot be passed on through breastmilk, chemo, hormone and targeted therapy drugs can be passed on from mother to child during breastfeeding. This is why most doctors advise against it. For thyroid cancer, specifically, radioactive iodine, which is used during treatment, can easily be ingested by the infant through her moms’ breastmilk.

5. Having a healthy pregnancy after pregnancy is still possible

For most cancer survivors, pregnancy after treatment is considered safe for mom and baby. Pregnancy itself doesn’t put a woman more at risk of relapse, but some doctors may still advise to wait a few years, depending on a woman’s age, type/stage of cancer, and the type of treatment she underwent.

About 6 months after chemotherapy, most doctors give the go-signal for couples to try getting pregnant again, as it’s been found that “damaged egg cells” leave the body over a period of 6 months.

We hope you found this information helpful. Do you have anything to add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!

Partner Stories
Nakakabahalang stretch mark habang nagbubuntis: Ano ang mabisang pantanggal ng stretch mark?
Nakakabahalang stretch mark habang nagbubuntis: Ano ang mabisang pantanggal ng stretch mark?
Drinking Milk During Pregnancy: Is It Really Necessary?
Drinking Milk During Pregnancy: Is It Really Necessary?
Meals and Snacks Perfect for the Third Trimester
Meals and Snacks Perfect for the Third Trimester
Mommy Meals: A Comprehensive Meal Plan for a Healthy Pregnancy
Mommy Meals: A Comprehensive Meal Plan for a Healthy Pregnancy

READ: 15 Cancer signs in children that you might be ignoring

Be sure to check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

ddc-calendar
Get ready for the baby’s arrival by adding your due date.
OR
Calculate your due date
img
Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Pregnancy
  • /
  • 5 Facts you need to know about cancer during pregnancy
Share:
  • Melasma pregnancy: Signs and treatment of melasma during pregnancy

    Melasma pregnancy: Signs and treatment of melasma during pregnancy

  • Green vaginal discharge: Different color of vaginal discharge and what does it mean

    Green vaginal discharge: Different color of vaginal discharge and what does it mean

  • Swollen feet pregnancy: 6 home remedies for pedal edema during pregnancy

    Swollen feet pregnancy: 6 home remedies for pedal edema during pregnancy

  • Melasma pregnancy: Signs and treatment of melasma during pregnancy

    Melasma pregnancy: Signs and treatment of melasma during pregnancy

  • Green vaginal discharge: Different color of vaginal discharge and what does it mean

    Green vaginal discharge: Different color of vaginal discharge and what does it mean

  • Swollen feet pregnancy: 6 home remedies for pedal edema during pregnancy

    Swollen feet pregnancy: 6 home remedies for pedal edema during pregnancy

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pagbubuntis.