---
title: "Breast Cancer During and After Pregnancy"
description: "Understand breast cancer during pregnancy, treatment decisions, breastfeeding and planning a future pregnancy with your specialist care team."
url: https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-and-pregnancy/
robots: noindex
---

# Breast Cancer During and After Pregnancy

Breast health information

Understand breast cancer during pregnancy, treatment decisions, breastfeeding and planning a future pregnancy with your specialist care team.

## Quick answer

Breast cancer can be treated during pregnancy, but the medicines, tests and timing need specialist planning. Your breast cancer and maternity teams should work together and explain the benefits and risks for you and your baby.

**For your own care:** use this guide to prepare questions for your specialist team. They can explain what applies to your diagnosis and circumstances.

**Editorial sources checked:** 8 September 2026 . Next check due 8 March 2027.

Independent clinical review has not yet been recorded for this page.

[How we prepare health information](https://breastcancer-charity.org/editorial-policy/) · [Report an error](https://breastcancer-charity.org/corrections/)

At a glance

Tell your care team if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Treatment during pregnancy needs a joint specialist plan. Do not stop cancer medicines to try for pregnancy on your own. Discuss each treatment before breastfeeding.

## Should I report a breast change during pregnancy?

Yes. Breast changes are common during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but a new lump or other unusual change still needs assessment. Contact your GP or midwife rather than assuming the change is part of pregnancy. Tell the breast clinic if you are pregnant or breastfeeding so tests can be planned appropriately.

## Can treatment start before my baby is born?

Surgery can be considered in any trimester. Chemotherapy is not given in the first trimester; some medicines may be offered later in pregnancy with monitoring. This does not mean every chemotherapy medicine is suitable or without risk. [Radiotherapy](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-radiotherapy/) is usually postponed, and hormone therapy is not given during pregnancy. Your specialists decide which treatments can be used and when.

Discuss the exact medicine, how far along the pregnancy is, monitoring and delivery plans with both teams. Do not use a general website to choose a treatment or decide to delay one. Ask for written information and further support if decisions feel overwhelming.

## How will decisions about continuing pregnancy be supported?

Many people continue pregnancy while having treatment. Depending on how urgently particular treatment is needed, the team may discuss different options, including ending a pregnancy. You should be supported to understand those options and make your own decision, with specialist and emotional support.

## Can I breastfeed while having treatment?

Ask about each medicine and test before breastfeeding. Chemotherapy can pass into breast milk, and breastfeeding is not advised during chemotherapy. [Tamoxifen](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/hormone-therapy-side-effects/) is also unsuitable while breastfeeding. Other treatments have their own precautions and waiting periods. Your oncologist, pharmacist and maternity team can advise on feeding and how to stop breastfeeding if needed.

## When can I plan pregnancy after breast cancer?

There is no single safe waiting period for everyone. Your team considers the cancer, treatment, recovery and medicines still being taken. Pregnancy after breast cancer does not appear to increase recurrence risk, but an individual discussion is still needed. Do not pause hormone therapy or other cancer medicines without agreeing a plan with your specialist.

Periods stopping does not always mean that pregnancy is impossible. Ask which contraception to use during treatment and for how long afterwards. If you might be pregnant while taking a cancer medicine, contact your treatment team promptly.

## Where can I get help with future fertility or feeding?

If you are not pregnant and may want children later, ask about fertility preservation before cancer treatment begins. You can ask even if you are unsure about future family plans. For feeding after treatment, ask your breast care and maternity teams about the effect of surgery, [radiotherapy](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-radiotherapy/) and medicines, and whether specialist feeding support would help.

## Frequently asked questions

Is all chemotherapy safe after the first trimester? No. Only some medicines may be offered later in pregnancy. Your cancer and maternity teams must assess the specific treatment and monitoring needed. Can I breastfeed while taking tamoxifen? No. Ask your specialist about feeding options and when breastfeeding could be considered after treatment. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without discussing it. Do I have to wait a fixed number of months before trying for a baby? There is no universal waiting period. Ask your specialist to plan this around your cancer, recovery and medicines, including any continuing hormone therapy.

## Sources and further reading

- [Breast Cancer Now: breast cancer during and after pregnancy](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/primary-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-in-younger-women/breast-cancer-during-and-after-pregnancy)
- [NHS: chemotherapy and urgent side effects](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/chemotherapy/)
- [Macmillan: sex life and fertility after breast cancer treatment](https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/sex-life-and-fertility-after-treatment-for-breast-cancer)
- [Macmillan: tamoxifen, pregnancy and breastfeeding](https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/tamoxifen)
- [Macmillan: fertility preservation](https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/fertility/preservation)

This content is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical guidance. Source links do not imply endorsement by the NHS or another organisation. See our [editorial policy](https://breastcancer-charity.org/editorial-policy/).

## Keep reading

[Support ### Where can I get breast cancer support in the UK?](https://breastcancer-charity.org/breast-cancer-support/) [📖 ### What are my fertility preservation options before breast cancer treatment?](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-fertility-preservation/)[💊 ### What treatments are used for breast cancer?](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-treatment/)[👩 ### Can young women get breast cancer?](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-in-young-women/)