During pregnancy, the structures of the breast responsible for producing milk are significantly expanded in preparation for breastfeeding. This process is under the control of the milk-producing hormone prolactin, as well as progesterone and oestrogen.
Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is very rare, but possible. This is when breast cancer is diagnosed during pregnancy, or in the first year after giving birth, it occurs in approximately 1 in every 3,000 pregnancies.
The first pregnancy, at any age, increases the short-term risk of breast cancer. The increased risk peaks 5 years after childbirth and continues for about 24 years.
The overall breast cancer risk during your lifetime is reduced if you have your first pregnancy before the age of 30. This protective effect is not seen for people who are 30 to 34 years old during their first pregnancy. If you are 35 years old or older during your first pregnancy, your overall risk of breast cancer may be increased compared to people who were never pregnant.
Some studies have found higher levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in pregnant individuals. One reason for this may be the higher food and water consumption during pregnancy. More studies are needed to measure if this may be the case also for other EDCs that can be found in food and water.
So far, studies have focused on how EDCs, through maternal exposure, reach the unborn baby in the womb and affect the baby’s health later in life. Studies are needed to find out if there is a link between EDC exposure during pregnancy and breast cancer risk in the mother.
Please see our leaflet on how to protect yours and your baby’s health.
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