Breast Cancer During Pregnancy and in Young Women — Specialized Care in Shanghai
Breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy or in young women of reproductive age presents unique clinical and emotional challenges. Treatment must balance oncological effectiveness with the safety of the developing baby and the patient's future fertility. For international patients facing this complex situation, Shanghai offers world-class expertise through specialists who have pioneered China's approach to pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC).
Featured Specialist: Prof. Wu Kejin (吴克瑾)
Prof. Wu Kejin is a leading breast oncologist at Fudan University Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (Red House Hospital / 红房子医院) — one of China's most respected institutions for women's health, with over 160 years of history and a national reputation for complex obstetric and gynecological oncology cases.
Prof. Wu is the lead author of China's first "Expert Consensus on Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer" — the definitive national guideline for managing breast cancer in pregnant and postpartum women. Her clinical expertise spans:
- Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) — diagnosed during pregnancy or within one year of delivery
- Lactation-period breast cancer — occurring during breastfeeding
- Fertility preservation for young breast cancer patients before chemotherapy or surgery
- Intraoperative breast reconstruction — combining oncological resection with immediate aesthetic restoration
- Breast-conserving surgery tailored to young patients' long-term quality of life
Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer: What Makes It Different?
PABC is defined as breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy, within 12 months of delivery, or during lactation. It accounts for approximately 1 in 3,000 pregnancies and is the most common cancer diagnosed during pregnancy. Key challenges include:
- Delayed diagnosis: Breast changes during pregnancy can mask tumor development, leading to later-stage presentation
- Treatment timing: Chemotherapy can be administered safely after the first trimester, but radiation and certain targeted therapies must be deferred
- Delivery planning: Oncological and obstetric teams must coordinate timing of surgery, chemotherapy cycles, and delivery
- Emotional complexity: Patients face simultaneous decisions about their cancer treatment and their pregnancy
- Postpartum considerations: Breastfeeding cessation, hormonal changes, and infant safety with maternal chemotherapy
Fertility Preservation for Young Breast Cancer Patients
For young women diagnosed with breast cancer who wish to have children in the future, fertility preservation before starting chemotherapy is a critical and time-sensitive step. Prof. Wu's team offers:
- Oocyte (egg) freezing — the most established method, completed before chemotherapy begins
- Embryo freezing — for patients with a partner, offering higher success rates
- Ovarian tissue cryopreservation — for patients who cannot delay treatment for egg retrieval
- GnRH agonist ovarian suppression during chemotherapy to protect ovarian function
- Post-treatment fertility counseling and assisted reproduction coordination
Given the unique intersection of breast oncology and reproductive medicine at Red House Hospital, patients benefit from seamless multidisciplinary coordination between breast surgeons, medical oncologists, and reproductive endocrinologists — all within one institution.
Intraoperative Breast Reconstruction
Prof. Wu specializes in immediate breast reconstruction performed at the time of mastectomy, allowing patients to wake from surgery with restored breast contour. This approach:
- Reduces the psychological impact of mastectomy
- Eliminates the need for a second reconstructive surgery
- Uses implant-based or autologous tissue techniques depending on patient anatomy and preference
- Is particularly important for young patients for whom body image and quality of life are long-term priorities
Who Should Consider Consulting Prof. Wu?
- Women diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy or within 12 months of delivery
- Women diagnosed with breast cancer while breastfeeding
- Young women (under 40) with breast cancer who wish to preserve fertility before treatment
- Patients seeking breast-conserving surgery or immediate reconstruction combined with oncological treatment
- Patients wanting a second opinion on managing breast cancer alongside pregnancy or reproductive goals
How CMCS Coordinates Your Care
China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) is a health management company — not a hospital. We connect international patients with Shanghai's most specialized breast oncologists, including Prof. Wu Kejin at Fudan University Red House Hospital, and manage every step of the process:
- Review of existing pathology, imaging, and obstetric records
- Coordination between Prof. Wu's breast oncology team and reproductive medicine specialists
- Appointment scheduling with priority access
- Medical interpretation during consultations and multidisciplinary team meetings
- Logistics support: accommodation, visa assistance, and local transport
- Post-treatment follow-up and fertility treatment coordination
Get in Touch
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy, postpartum, or as a young woman concerned about fertility, contact our team for a confidential consultation.
📧 contract@medicalsh.com
💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/message/3AM6KAGCW2BAD1
🌐 www.medicalsh.com
0 commenti