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Breast Cancer Screening in High-Risk Patients during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review of the Literature

  • 0McMaster University, Department of Radiology, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Journal of Breast Imaging +

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March 1, 2024

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March 1, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

High-risk breast cancer screening lacks clear guidelines during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This review found limited evidence, primarily expert opinions, recommending clinical breast exams, mammography, and MRI during these periods.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Radiology
  • Women's Health

Background

  • High-risk breast cancer screening guidelines are absent for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals.
  • This gap necessitates a review of existing evidence to inform clinical practice.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To systematically review and synthesize evidence on breast cancer screening recommendations for high-risk individuals during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • To provide a foundation for developing future clinical guidelines.

Main Methods

  • A systematic review of the literature was conducted using MEDLINE and Embase databases.
  • Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to 2,274 retrieved abstracts, with 16 studies ultimately included.
  • Data extraction focused on screening recommendations for the specified population.

Main Results

  • Most included studies were narrative reviews and expert opinions.
  • Clinical breast exam (CBE) was recommended by 12 studies during pregnancy and 6 during breastfeeding.
  • Mammography and MRI were recommended by 2 studies each during breastfeeding; ultrasound was deemed inappropriate for screening.

Conclusions

  • Current evidence for high-risk breast cancer screening during pregnancy and breastfeeding is limited, relying heavily on expert opinion.
  • Expert opinions may serve as a surrogate for guiding tailored clinical management in this population.
  • This review highlights the need for further research to establish standardized screening guidelines.

Keywords: