Pregnant and breast cancer! For Elaine S.* and her husband, this was a time of many fears and worries. At the USZ Breast Center, she was able to undergo cancer treatment tailored to her needs while she was still pregnant.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, I was 35 years old and thirteen weeks pregnant with our second child. I had noticed two weeks earlier that my breasts felt different than usual, but I didn’t feel a lump. At first I put it down to the pregnancy. I was young, healthy and had no family history. I wasn’t thinking about cancer. My doctor referred me to a breast center for an initial assessment. I received the diagnosis there. Pregnant and cancer! It pulled my feet out from under me and my husband. What would happen to the child? Was I even able to have therapy when I was pregnant? What would become of our family? Was that the end? We were just about to really get started in life! We wanted to look forward to our second child, but now it was a rollercoaster of emotions. It was also difficult for those around us. “I’m pregnant – and I have cancer.” I could understand that friends, colleagues and relatives were overwhelmed.
Turning fear and questions into confidence
We had so many questions and fears. Because I was pregnant and the doctors at my breast center at the time had no experience with cancer treatments during pregnancy, my doctor referred me to the breast center at the USZ. I felt I was in good hands there right from the start. My doctor there was able to allay many of our fears and had answers to questions that no one had been able to give us before. She was able to show me treatment options and explained to us that it was possible to continue the pregnancy despite the treatment. That gave us a lot of confidence.
I received a therapy that was tailored to me. To this end, the doctors at the Breast Center worked closely with those at the Department of Obstetrics and other specialists at the USZ. So I was only able to do the antibody therapy after the pregnancy instead of at the same time as the chemotherapy, which meant that the whole therapy took longer than usual. However, chemotherapy was still possible during the pregnancy. Breast surgery and breast reconstruction followed after the birth.
“I focus on remaining optimistic.”
Our child was born by caesarean section. He had to spend a few days in the neonatology unit for observation, but then it was clear that we could take our perfect baby home with us. I responded well to the antibody therapy that followed. The cancer was gone. I was very exhausted by the pregnancy, the therapy and several operations in such a short space of time, but we were optimistic about the future. I gradually recovered, gained energy and got back into my rhythm. I had a future again.
Two years later, in 2021, the cancer was back. What a blow! Was it all for nothing? Knowing what was in store for me and our family again made it harder for me to accept the second chemotherapy than the first. I completed the therapy two months ago and now go to the USZ for regular check-ups. I focus on staying optimistic and am grateful for every day. However, there is of course no guarantee of a carefree life.
A difficult time for the whole family
I didn’t have much time for myself during the illness. Doctor and radiotherapy appointments, caring for the children – there was a lot to organize. My parents-in-law relieved us as much as possible, and the home help from Spitex was also extremely helpful. One of the few pieces of advice I can give others is to recognize and set your own boundaries, to accept help in order to get some breathing space. And that each and every person concerned must find out what is good for him or her, without paying attention to the opinion of outsiders. I am a young woman, interested in fashion. It was important and helpful for me to look good even during the illness, to simply feel completely normal. However, the exchange with other affected people was not central for me. The disease had already taken over everything. I wanted to spend the little time I had for myself on other topics. I took it day by day. Good and bad alternated. I set myself small daily goals and learned to put less pressure on myself. As a family, we also see things in a more relaxed light today.
There is never a “right” time for cancer, but the strain was enormous for me and my husband during this time. For two and a half years, our lives were simply on pause in every respect. Because I am a high-risk patient due to my illness, our social life was completely shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. We were totally isolated. It was a difficult time for us as a family. Sometimes I felt guilty because all the energy and attention was focused on me. The illness has made me more sensitive and a little more anxious. My body has also changed. I’m not quite there yet. Without damage, without pain, such an illness does not pass you by.
*Name of the patient changed.
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