Mother’s cancer diagnosis while pregnant leads to life-saving second opinion

(InvestigateTV) — For many women, pregnancy is a time of constant change. But complicating it with a cancer diagnosis can feel catastrophic and life-threatening for both mother and baby.

Misconceptions about cancer treatments can be deadly. One mom said getting a second opinion saved both her and her daughter’s lives.

Cancer diagnosis at 15 weeks

At just 35 years old, Reggie Hong is a survivor, battling an illness she thought she was far too young to endure.

Hong’s breast cancer story starts like many others. She noticed dimpling in her breast.

“About a week and a half later, I got the scan from hell,” Hong said. “A 4.2 centimeter tumor and an affected lymph node.”

But Hong’s breast cancer journey would not be like many others. Her diagnosis didn’t just affect her.

“I was 15 weeks pregnant when I found out,” Hong said.

Hong was pregnant with a little girl that she and her husband were eager to meet.

How could she treat her cancer and safely continue her pregnancy? Her doctor said she couldn’t.

“And he’s like, I don’t think she’s gonna survive. And you should consider termination,” Hong said.

The couple had already given their unborn child a name and recently revealed the gender.

“My husband and I, our hearts just dropped. And we just couldn’t imagine that,” Hong said.

Hong was prepared to forgo treatment entirely to save her baby, potentially sacrificing herself.

A decision she wouldn’t have to make, because her doctor’s initial assessment was wrong.

Treatment during pregnancy possible

Not only could Hong continue the pregnancy, she could get treatment.

She learned this after getting a second opinion at the University of Kansas Health System.

“We can successfully accomplish both goals of great cancer care and having a great full-term pregnancy,” said Dr. Jamie Wagner, a surgical breast oncologist at the hospital.

Wagner said the ability to treat women with breast cancer and allow them to continue their pregnancy has existed for at least probably two decades.

But there’s still a wide belief that if a woman gets cancer when she’s pregnant, she needs to terminate the baby.

“I think the biggest misconceptions are you can’t carry a pregnancy if you’re on chemotherapy, and if you do, you’re causing harm to your baby. And I would say those are not true,” said Dr. Marc Parrish, a maternal fetal medicine doctor who was part of Hong’s treatment team at the University of Kansas Health System.

Parrish said chemotherapy should be avoided in the first trimester because it can be toxic to DNA development. But after 12 weeks, the health impacts to babies are minimal.

“We know that it can make baby’s immunocompromised and it can cause them to be anemic,” Parrish told us. “Both of those are correctable outside of the womb.”

Parrish said he has not seen any long-term ramifications to children who were exposed to chemotherapy in the womb.

A rise in cancer during pregnancy

While being diagnosed with cancer while pregnant is still rare, it’s on the rise.

A study published in BMC Cancer found the incidents of pregnancy-associated breast cancer went from about 13 cases per 100,000 pregnancies in 1969 to 19 cases by 2022.

The American Cancer Society said thousands of cancer cases in pregnancy happen every year in the United States, with breast cancer among the most common.

“We’ve had patients with breast cancer and lymphoma and leukemias are probably the top three things that we’ll see patients get diagnosed with during their pregnancy,” Parrish said.

Studies suggest a big factor is maternal age. As you get older, your risk for cancer increases. And the average maternal age is rising in the United States.

Whatever the reason, the rise in cases coupled with the misconceptions of treatment make sharing Hong’s story all the more important.

“Fortunately she sought a second opinion and I think that’s the important aspect of her story is the value and radical change you can have in treatment recommendations by getting a second opinion, but also who you get your second opinion with,” Wagner said.

Mother and daughter both survivors

Hong completed 12 weeks of chemotherapy, all while pregnant with Elaina. And when that treatment was finally over, mother and daughter both celebrated as survivors.

“We decided to name her Elaina because Elaina means a light in the darkness and that’s what she was for us,” Hong said.

Hong said her daughter is thriving and “getting bigger and bigger every day.”

When the treatment was finally over, the two would grab the string and ring the bell together.

“My baby’s fine and we made it through. And it’s just incredible to be here,” Hong said.

Hong had a single mastectomy and still needs to complete radiation treatment, but she said her prognosis is good.

She hopes her story serves as a reminder to future moms out there to always get a second opinion, as it could save two lives.

Disease can be missed

Experts say something that can further complicate cancer in pregnancy is that the disease can be missed. Women may attribute certain symptoms incorrectly to their pregnancy.

But doctors say regular checkups and conversations with your doctor can help ensure a healthy pregnancy.

When women have children can have an impact, because experts say one risk factor at play is maternal age. Hong was 35 when she was diagnosed.

According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, women who give birth to their first child at age 35 or older are at a slightly increased risk for breast cancer.

But starting a family later in life is a trend that’s growing.

More women over 40 having children

Recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows more women over 40 are having children than ever before. For the first time, they are surpassing teen birth rates.

In 2023, they made up about 4% of all births. It might not sound like a lot, but it’s a more than three-fold increase from just a few decades ago.

Dr. Dallas Reed is the director of perinatal genetics at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. She said advances in fertility technology, like IVF and egg freezing, have helped make motherhood more feasible for some women.

“I think they certainly lengthen the time and kind of slow that clock down,” Reed said.

But that decision to wait isn’t always intentional, as many couples struggle with infertility.

But Reed noted putting off parenthood can also have advantages, with parents having more time to gain financial security and life experience.

“I think that helps the couple, but also the child, give them that good foundation to be able to excel,” Reed said.

For women of any age planning to have children, the CDC said there are steps you can take to increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Recommendations include talking to your healthcare provider about your health history, getting 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, cutting out tobacco and alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight.