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Title: Characteristics and diagnosis of pregnancy and lactation associated breast cancer: Analysis of a self-reported regional registry.

Authors: Pugh, Amanda M; Giannini, Courtney M; Pinney, Susan M; Hanseman, Dennis J; Shaughnessy, Elizabeth A; Lewis, Jaime D

Published In Am J Surg, (2018 10)

Abstract: Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is the most common malignancy in pregnancy. However due to its infrequent occurrence, PABC continues to be poorly understood.We performed a retrospective study using self-reported data from 1079 eligible women in a regional breast cancer registry.The PABC cases were more likely than non-PABCs to be younger than age 35 and have nodal involvement at diagnosis. Despite diagnosis at a young age, there was not an association between PABC and family history. For method of diagnosis, PABC was found on self-exam, while non-PABCs were found on mammography.In conclusion, PABC is rarely detected by mammography and diagnosis is highly dependent on detection during self-breast exam. Women who are or recently were pregnant should be encouraged to perform regular self-breast exams to report any changes for further evaluation. Patient and clinician education regarding risk and realities of PABC is essential.

PubMed ID: 30270029 Exiting the NIEHS site

MeSH Terms: Adult; Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis; Breast Neoplasms/etiology*; Breast Self-Examination; Female; Humans; Lactation*; Logistic Models; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic/diagnosis; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic/etiology*; Puerperal Disorders/diagnosis; Puerperal Disorders/etiology*; Registries; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Self Report

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