Pregnancy associated breast cancer--the obstetrician's role

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in many geographic areas, the most frequent cause of cancer deaths in women, and is also the cancer most likely to be seen during pregnancy and lactation. Delay in diagnosis appears to be the primary reason for the generally worse prognosis overall for all patients with breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy and lactation. In this context, the patient's family physician or obstetrician who performs the routine antenatal examinations can play an important role by performing a vital breast examination which might bring to light and prompt timely investigation of otherwise asymptomatic breast masses.