Risk of Breast Cancer in Elderly IVF Mothers Under 40

A woman who conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) underwent surgery for breast cancer during her pregnancy and received chemotherapy after delivery to protect both her health and the fetus, according to a report by The Epoch Times published June 20, 2026. The case illustrates the clinical management of pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC), where treatment timelines are adjusted to avoid fetal harm.

The patient, described as an older mother who used IVF to achieve pregnancy, was diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant. To address the malignancy without compromising the pregnancy, medical teams performed a surgical procedure to remove the tumor during the gestational period. Following the birth of the child, the patient began chemotherapy to complete her cancer treatment.

How is breast cancer treated during pregnancy?

Surgery is generally considered safe during all trimesters of pregnancy. In this case, the surgical removal of the tumor served as the primary intervention while the fetus was still in the womb. This approach allows doctors to remove the primary mass and obtain a definitive pathological diagnosis without the use of medications that could cross the placental barrier.

According to established medical guidelines for PABC, the goal is to provide the same standard of care as non-pregnant patients while minimizing risks to the developing embryo. Surgery, including lumpectomies or mastectomies, does not typically increase the risk of miscarriage or preterm birth when performed by specialized teams.

Why was chemotherapy delayed until after birth?

Chemotherapy was administered to the patient only after she gave birth. This timing is critical because many chemotherapeutic agents are teratogenic, meaning they can cause birth defects or fetal death, particularly during the first trimester when organogenesis occurs.

While some chemotherapy regimens can be safely used during the second and third trimesters, physicians often delay systemic treatment until postpartum if the cancer’s growth rate allows. This strategy ensures the infant is fully developed and born before exposure to cytotoxic drugs. The Epoch Times report indicates that this sequence—surgery during pregnancy followed by postpartum chemotherapy—was used to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby.

What is pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC)?

Medical professionals define pregnancy-associated breast cancer as breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy or within one year following delivery. It is a rare occurrence, but it presents unique challenges because the physiological changes of pregnancy can mask symptoms or complicate diagnostic imaging.

The management of PABC requires a multidisciplinary team, typically including:

• Oncologists to manage the cancer progression.
• Obstetricians to monitor fetal health and manage delivery.
• Surgeons specializing in breast oncology.
• Neonatologists to oversee the baby’s health if chemotherapy was administered late in pregnancy.

Radiation therapy is strictly avoided during pregnancy because ionizing radiation can lead to fetal malformations or childhood leukemia. Consequently, radiation is always deferred until after the baby is born.

Does IVF or advanced maternal age increase cancer risk?

The report highlights that the patient was an older mother who used IVF. While the headline links these factors, the medical community continues to study the relationship between assisted reproductive technology (ART) and cancer risk. Some observational data suggest a potential correlation between certain fertility treatments and an increased risk of some cancers, but a definitive causal link remains a subject of ongoing research.

Age is a known risk factor for breast cancer. As women age, the cumulative exposure to hormones and the likelihood of genetic mutations increase. For women pursuing pregnancy later in life via IVF, the intersection of age-related cancer risk and the hormonal changes of pregnancy can make early screening and vigilance essential.

This case demonstrates that a diagnosis of breast cancer during pregnancy is not an automatic conflict between maternal survival and fetal viability. By sequencing surgery and chemotherapy around the delivery date, clinicians can treat the malignancy while protecting the newborn.