We had already heard that pregnancy has a protective effect against breast cancer, reducing the chances of suffering in those women who had children.
Now, a study recently presented in Barcelona in the framework of the VII European Conference on Breast Cancer goes further, ensuring that Women with breast cancer who become pregnant are more likely to survive. Or what is the same, pregnancy reduces the risk of death by up to 42 percent in women with breast cancer compared to those who do not get pregnant after diagnosis.
It is revealing, because the most widespread recommendation in these cases is to wait until after the treatment to conceive, even many women freeze their eggs to be mothers once cured. However, according to breast cancer experts, this finding would allow doctors to recommend having children during the cancer process.
Apparently, the complex interaction of various hormones that manifests during pregnancy would have a protective effect against breast cancer. In the same way, the mother's immune system would produce antibodies against fetal antigens that would act as a anti-tumor vaccine.
As they have said, they will try to refine the results of the study to determine what is the safest time to conceive in these cases. This will reduce the risk of death and improve the quality of life of many women.
Of course, it would be great news for women who face a diagnosis of breast cancer precisely when they planned to become mothers. It may not apply to all women, but at least the disease will not prevent many from fulfilling the dream of being mothers.
