A note on terms:
Breast cancer can affect anybody, and everybody is welcome in CoppaFeel!’s community. We’re actively inclusive in our language and we ask people how they want to be described.
The word ‘chest’ is inclusive of all bodies and genders. When we need to be clinically accurate we use the word ‘breast’. You might prefer to call your chest something else, and that’s ok!
When we say breasts, we mean the part of your body from your rib cage up to your collarbone and armpits, including your nipples. This is where everyone has breast tissue, and people of all genders can get breast cancer. We often use the words ‘breasts’ and ‘chest’ in our breast cancer information.
Download our pregnancy booklet
Download our free booklet containing everything you need to know about your breasts during and after pregnancy.
Your Pregnancy Breasts
It is normal for your breasts to change during pregnancy. Both pregnancy and breastfeeding cause breast changes. This is because your breasts respond to pregnancy hormones. During pregnancy and breastfeeding you might notice the following changes to your breasts:
- Changes in size or shape
- Changes in skin colour
- Increased sensitivity
- Visible veins
It is important to keep checking your breasts throughout pregnancy. This will help you get to know about the natural changes.
Here are some common changes that happen to your breasts during pregnancy:
Pain or discomfort – Mild discomfort in your breasts is normal during pregnancy or breastfeeding, but if your breasts hurt it is important that you tell your GP or midwife. Conditions such as mastitis or blocked milk ducts happen to lots of people who are breastfeeding. To be treated quickly and effectively, they need to be diagnosed by a GP. If you wear a bra, make sure you get measured by a trained bra-fitter so you are wearing a bra that fits you well and supports your breasts. Our friends at the National Childbirth Trust have more information about bras when you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Breast lumps – Any unusual breast lumps should always be checked out by a GP. Talk to your GP or midwife if you are worried about a breast lump. Some benign (not cancer) breast lumps are more common in pregnancy. These are:
- Fibroadenomas. These are not cancer but they are a common cause of breast lumps. If you had one in the past, it might come back or get bigger if you get pregnant.
- Cysts (sacs filled with fluid).
- Galactoceles (cysts filled with milk).
These are benign (not cancer) lumps, but they should still be seen by a GP. Do not ignore breast lumps, get them checked out!
Breastfeeding
Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, you should be informed about what to expect.
If you are breastfeeding, you will notice that your breasts naturally change. Keep checking your breasts monthly. It will help you get to know the natural changes that happen during breastfeeding. Having ‘pregnancy boobs’ is no reason to ignore or overlook signs of breast cancer. If in doubt, get checked out.
Does breastfeeding lower breast cancer risk?
Breastfeeding reduces your lifetime risk of breast cancer. The longer you breastfeed for, the more you lower your risk. It is not fully known why breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer.
It might be because pregnancy and breastfeeding can alter the balance of hormones in your body. Pregnancy and breastfeeding stop the ovaries from producing eggs (ovulation). Stopping ovulation reduces the hormone oestrogen, and this hormone can sometimes cause breast cancer cells to grow.
Breastfeeding can also change the cells in your breast, making them less likely to react to changes that lead to cancer.
Breast Cancer in Pregnancy
It is rare to get breast cancer while you are pregnant, but it can happen. Pregnancy-associated breast cancer is breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy or up to a year after giving birth. 1 in 3,000 pregnant women will be diagnosed with pregnancy-associated breast cancer every year. That means around 200 women a year in the UK.
Breasts change during pregnancy, and the breast tissue becomes thicker. This can make it more difficult to find changes in the breasts.
We know it can be scary when your breasts change, but we want to empower you to get to know your ‘new normal’. You know your breasts better than anyone else! Get checking, and always talk to your GP if you have any unusual changes.
Our friends at Mummy’s Star support people affected by cancer during pregnancy or within 12 months of giving birth.
Lucy's Story
Pregnancy and breast cancer FAQs
Does pregnancy increase my risk of breast cancer?
Pregnancy does not increase the risk of cancer. The causes or risk factors depend on the type of cancer.
We have more information about breast cancer risks factors to be aware of.
Can you have children if you've had/have breast cancer?
Here is the guidance from Cancer Research UK around breast cancer and pregnancy:
It’s important to avoid pregnancy during and shortly after treatment for breast cancer. Most doctors advise people it is best to wait for 2 years after treatment before getting pregnant.
This is because breast cancer is most likely to come back within the first 2 years after you are diagnosed. Having treatment for breast cancer that has come back could be very difficult if you are pregnant or you have a young baby.
Ask your doctor whether there are any risks if you become pregnant. Most studies have found that pregnancy after treatment for breast cancer does not increase the risk of cancer coming back.
Can you breastfeed with cancer?/Is breastfeeding with cancer dangerous for the baby?
A specialist will give the person advice about breastfeeding. It will depend on the treatment. Macmillan talks about breastfeeding and cancer treatments here: breastfeeding and cancer treatments.
Our friends at Mummy’s Star support people who are diagnosed with cancer during their pregnancy.
What do I do if I notice unusual changes in my chest while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
If you are unsure about a change in your chest, talk to your GP. If you are pregnant or have just had a baby, the 8 week postnatal check with your GP is a good time to talk about any worries. You can speak to them sooner if you are worried.
What about the checking guidance for people who are breastfeeding? Is it the same?
Yes, our guidance is the same, get to know what is normal. It might take a little while during pregnancy and breastfeeding as you may have a new normal.
The breast and chest awareness guidance stays the same for everyone. If you would like more information about chest awareness during pregnancy or breastfeeding, we have more information on the pages on our website.
We created a pregnancy booklet which you can download, or we can send you a printed copy in the post. Fill in your details on the website form and we will do the rest.
Does breastfeeding reduce the risk of breast cancer?
Yes. Breastfeeding reduces your lifetime risk of breast cancer. The longer you breastfeed for, the more you lower your risk.
What if I don’t breastfeed?
Breastfeeding is a personal decision. If you don’t breastfeed you may find that your breasts are heavy, sore and engorged (feeling very full, hard and swollen) for several days. It can help to put warm flannels or a cold pack on your breasts. Only express small amounts of milk if you need to, for comfort. Whether you breastfeed or not, it is important that you are breast aware and get any unusual changes checked out with a midwife or GP. Lactation will happen (the process of making milk) even if you don’t plan to breastfeed, so get some advice about how to hand express milk. Tommy’s has lots of advice about this.
When will my breasts go back to ‘normal’ after having a baby?
This depends on whether you have breastfed, and for how long. You might find that your breasts get bigger after birth, and after a few weeks return to the size they were during pregnancy. You might also find that your breasts return to the size they were before pregnancy a few months after you stop breastfeeding. Breasts change a lot during pregnancy and childbirth and you might find that your breasts are always different after having a child. They may be smaller or bigger than they were before pregnancy.
Signs & symptoms of breast cancer
We updated this information in April 2024. We will look at it again in April 2027.