Pregnancy & Baby 

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Breast lumps: Normal in pregnancy?

Breast lumps may occur normally in pregnancy, especially in the third trimester when your breasts are getting ready for lactation. Such masses are typically soft, mobile and occur in both breasts. They may be tender. A tail of breast tissue may extend into the axillae or armpit area.

Breast cancer is uncommon in pregnancy but it does occur. Approximately one to two percent of breast cancers are diagnosed in pregnancy. The prognosis is similar whether the cancer is diagnosed during pregnancy or at another time.

It is never a good idea to reassure a pregnant woman that any mass she feels is insignificant. Pregnancy often delays a diagnosis of breast cancer because doctors and women themselves feel that the lump is pregnancy related.

Your own doctor should do a complete breast exam and possibly refer you for an ultrasound. An ultrasound can distinguish between cysts and solid masses but breast biopsy should still be performed if the mass is suspicious.

Thanks for asking this critical question and for not ignoring your problem. It is very important for your doctor to take this seriously despite the fact that it may be a perfectly normal finding.

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