Mammograms Aid Pregnancy-Linked Breast Cancer Detection

New Study Affirms Imaging Tool’s Value Despite Breast Density Challenges

New research suggests mammography can play a crucial role in identifying breast cancer in pregnant or lactating women, even when increased breast tissue density poses a challenge.

Study Highlights Mammography’s Effectiveness

A comprehensive study analyzing data from 167 women diagnosed with pregnancy-associated breast cancer revealed that mammography successfully detected approximately 82% of these cancers. The research, led by Dr. Noam Nissan of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, found that mammography frequently provided vital information, including identifying calcifications in over half of the cases.

Despite the common presence of dense breast tissue—97.6% of participants had dense breasts, with 80.8% having extremely dense breasts—mammography proved effective. The imaging modality was the sole detection method in 21 instances and contributed to improved cancer staging in 35 cases.

The study, published in Clinical Imaging, indicated that mammography added value to the diagnostic process in 38.3% of cases when compared to ultrasound alone.

Mammography as a Complementary Tool

While ultrasound is typically the first choice for evaluating breast abnormalities during pregnancy, its role alongside mammography is emphasized. The research team noted that “mammography and ultrasound must serve as complementary tools in the diagnostic evaluation of pregnancy-associated breast cancers.”

Pregnancy-associated breast cancer is a rare but increasingly recognized condition, often linked to delayed childbirth. Physiological changes in breast tissue during pregnancy and lactation can complicate diagnosis by masking potential abnormalities.

An estimated 1 in 3,000 pregnancies are affected by breast cancer, with rising incidence rates observed in developed nations due to later childbearing. For instance, in 2021, the average age of first-time mothers in the U.S. was 27.3 years, a figure that has steadily climbed over decades.

Safety Considerations Addressed

Concerns about radiation exposure are paramount, but the authors addressed these directly. “Mammography is considered safe when clinically indicated, as the fetal radiation dose from a standard four-view mammogram is extremely low,” they stated. The typical fetal radiation dose is less than 0.03 mGy, significantly below the threshold associated with developmental risks.

The study’s findings suggest that mammography, when deemed clinically necessary, offers a safe and valuable diagnostic pathway for detecting breast cancer in pregnant and lactating individuals, complementing other imaging techniques.