Pregnancy is accompanied by a lengthy list of do's and don'ts—take prenatal vitamins, no alcohol, exercise carefully, and eat well. But what about when an unplanned health issue presents itself, such as the necessity for a mammogram? For most women, this might not even be something they think about until they are in a position where breast cancer screening is an option.

Perhaps you're over 40 and in need of your yearly mammogram, or perhaps you have a history of breast cancer in your family and you want to keep your screenings current. More emergently, you've found a lump in your breast. So, can you have a mammogram when pregnant? The answer is yes, but there are several things to consider.

Pregnancy creates substantial hormonal changes that affect the body, as well as breast tissue. Estrogen and progesterone's rise causes the breasts to expand and condition to produce milk, which results in denser tissue. This increased density is more challenging to detect any abnormalities with using mammograms. Even post-delivery, should the woman be breastfeeding, milk-filled glands can also make the breasts denser and, as a result, make mammogram readings less clear.

While 3D mammograms have improved imaging technology to help navigate dense breast tissue, doctors often suggest postponing routine screening mammograms until after pregnancy if there are no symptoms or high-risk factors. However, if a lump or abnormality is found, your doctor may recommend immediate diagnostic imaging.

When Is a Mammogram Necessary During Pregnancy?

Mammograms are not done routinely if a woman becomes pregnant, yet there are specific situations where one might be unavoidable. Breast cancer in pregnancy does occur—1 in 3,000 times—but it's not common. If a lump is detected by a woman, she has constant breast pain and no explanation, or she is at high risk (e.g., strong history of breast cancer in her family or genetic defect such as BRCA1 or BRCA2), a physician will order a mammogram.

The process itself takes very little radiation exposure. The radiation employed by a mammogram is concentrated on the breast, and there is little to no radiation that reaches other areas of the body. A lead apron is also placed over the belly to shield the unborn child.

Alternative Breast Imaging Options During Pregnancy

For pregnant women requiring breast imaging, physicians may initially suggest an ultrasound. In contrast to a mammogram, an ultrasound is not done with the use of radiation and is deemed safe for pregnant women.

An ultrasound of the breast can establish whether a lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid tumor that needs further investigation. Yet ultrasounds are not always diagnostic, and in certain instances, a mammogram or biopsy is needed to determine or rule out cancer.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is also an imaging choice but has some drawbacks. The majority of breast MRIs employ a contrast material called gadolinium, which is able to pass through the placenta and to the fetus. Although risks are not entirely clear, physicians usually do not use MRI with contrast unless necessary. Some practitioners may offer an MRI without contrast as an option.

What If You Find a Lump In Your Breast During Pregnancy?

Breast changes throughout pregnancy are normal, but finding a lump should never be taken lightly. If you notice a lump, alert your medical provider right away. They will conduct a clinical breast exam and potentially have you get an imaging study such as an ultrasound or mammogram to see whether anything needs to be done.

If imaging indicates a suspicious mass, a biopsy can be suggested. Core needle biopsy is the most frequently used and is safe during pregnancy. It consists of numbing the skin with local anesthetic and inserting a hollow needle into the area to obtain a small sample of tissue to be tested.

Breast Cancer Treatment During Pregnancy

In the extremely uncommon event of a diagnosis of breast cancer while pregnant, therapy will be determined by the nature and extent of cancer and by how far along in pregnancy one is. The most frequent form of treatment is surgery—either mastectomy (surgical removal of the entire breast) or lumpectomy (surgical removal of the lump)—which is usually safe while pregnant.

Chemotherapy is also possible but usually only attempted after the first trimester, when it can damage developing fetal tissue. Radiation therapy is not used during pregnancy and is typically deferred until after giving birth. Hormonal therapy and targeted therapies are also omitted until after giving birth.

Can I Get a Mammogram While Breastfeeding?

Yes, you can have a mammogram while you are breastfeeding. The radiation in a mammogram does not impact breast milk or hurt the baby. But breast density is still high during lactation, and this might complicate detection of abnormalities. To enhance image quality, physicians usually advise breastfeeding or pumping 30 minutes prior to the mammogram.

Routine screening mammograms are usually delayed in pregnancy unless there is a high-level concern.

If a lump is detected, an ultrasound is typically the initial imaging study done, with a mammogram being a consideration if additional assessment is necessary.

• Pregnancy mammograms utilize minimal radiation and are safe when required.
• Breast MRI with contrast is usually avoided in pregnancy.
• Breast biopsy, when necessary, is safe during pregnancy.

If breast cancer does develop during pregnancy, there are available treatment options that can be adjusted to keep the mother and infant safe.

Pregnancy is a period of significant change, and health issues particularly those involving breast health, are anxiety-provoking. Routine mammograms are typically postponed until after giving birth, but diagnostic testing can be done if necessary. The best you can do is discuss changes you notice in your breasts with your healthcare provider in an open manner. Early detection and prompt treatment can make a very big difference in the health of both mother and fetus.

For most parents, the toddler years are filled with first words, wobbly steps and dreams of the future. For Gus and Emily Forrester, those moments are now overshadowed by a diagnosis they describe as “every parent’s worst nightmare.”

Their two-year-old daughter, Leni, has been diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B, a rare genetic condition often referred to as childhood dementia. The disorder, formally known as Mucopolysaccharidosis type III, gradually robs children of their physical and cognitive abilities.

In an interview with ITV News, Leni’s parents spoke about the devastating reality of the condition, which has no approved cure or widely available treatment.

“All your dreams for your child's future are taken away,” her mother, Emily, said. “To be told that she has this condition, and there is no treatment and no cure and no support… it’s completely earth-shattering.”

What Is Childhood Dementia?

Sanfilippo Syndrome is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the body’s inability to break down certain complex sugars. Over time, these substances build up in the brain, leading to progressive damage.

According to Cure Sanfilippo Foundation, symptoms usually begin appearing between the ages of one and six. Children may initially show mild developmental delays, but the disease gradually worsens, affecting speech, mobility and behaviour.

As the condition advances, many children lose the ability to talk, walk and recognise loved ones. Life expectancy is often limited to the early teenage years.

Emily explained the process in stark terms. Without treatment, she said, Leni’s body will slowly be overwhelmed by “toxic waste,” causing irreversible damage.

The Urgency of Early Treatment

For families like the Forresters, time is not just precious, it is critical.

“Early treatment is key for these children,” Emily said. “If she has to wait six months, that could mean she can no longer talk. If she waits 12 months, that could mean she loses the ability to walk.”

Although experimental therapies, including gene-based approaches, are being developed, access remains a major hurdle. Some clinical trials are expected to take place in the United States later this year, but Leni is not currently eligible.

Her parents are now campaigning for UK patients to be included in these trials, arguing that promising science already exists but remains out of reach for many families.

A Family's Fight For Hope

In response to the diagnosis, the Forresters have launched a fundraiser to support Leni’s care and potential treatment options. They have also pledged to donate part of the funds to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where Leni is receiving care, and to the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation, which supports affected families.

So far, donations have crossed $250,000, reflecting the growing awareness and concern around rare childhood conditions.

Leni’s father, Gus, said the emotional toll of the diagnosis is hard to put into words. “As parents, your role is to protect your children and provide every opportunity you can. Without any treatment, her future and her reality is very, very dark.”

Beyond fundraising, the couple is also raising awareness about childhood dementia and advocating for newborn screening programmes that could help detect such conditions earlier.

Experts working on experimental therapies say greater government investment is urgently needed. Without it, many children may never benefit from treatments that could slow or alter the course of the disease.

For now, Leni remains a cheerful two-year-old, full of life and affection. But for her parents, every passing day is a reminder of how quickly that could change, and how urgently answers are needed.

Every year, March 24 is observed as World Tuberculosis Day to spread awareness about the infectious disease. In India, it remains one of the most pressing infectious diseases. Dr Arup Halder, Consultant Pomologist at CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI says that India still accounts for roughly a quarter to over a quarter of world's tuberculosis or TB cases. "In 2023–2024, India reported around 25–26 lakh TB patients out of an estimated 27 lakh cases, reflecting improved detection but also highlighting a persistently high burden," he points out.

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While TB incidence has fallen by about 20 per cent since 2015 and mortality has also declined to roughly 21 deaths per lakh population, it still remains well above national elimination targets for 2025.

TB Could Happen Even Without A Persistent Cough

What makes TB so difficult to eliminate? While many associate TB with persistent coughing, studies show that 80 per cent of patients do not show the symptoms of cough that is "presumed" to be a common symptom. This is why, TB could go ignored until it is too late.

A research led by Amsterdam UMC and the Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development analyzed data on more than 600,000 individuals in Africa and Asia and found that around 82.8 per cent of those with TB had no persistent cough. The study also found that 62.5 per cent had no cough at all. The findings were published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases.

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The study in fact noted that this could be the "probable reason why, despite huge efforts to diagnose and treat the disease, the tb burden across Africa and Asia is hardly declining". Frank Cobelens, Professor of Global Health at Amsterdam UMC and Senior Fellow at the AIGHD says, "A persistent cough is often the entry point for a diagnosis, but if 80 per cent of those with TB do not have one, then it means that a diagnosis will happen later, possibly after the infection has already been transmitted to many others, or not at all."

Another 2019 study published in Elsevier notes: "Coughing does not appear to be a necessary prerequisite for TB transmission." The study further mentions, "Frequency of cough is associated with infectivity but this does not imply mechanistic causality for TB transmission."

Does It Mean Coughing Is Harmless?

The simple answer to this is: No. Coughing does not mean harmless, especially when it is a persistent one. The study only shows that TB does not always mean persistent coughing, however, if one experiences this symptom, they should always get a test done and should not ignore the symptoms.

Researchers from The University of Texas at Dallas' Center for Advanced Pain Studies working with colleagues from UT Southwestern Medical Center note that TB coughing could cause pain. This is one of the way one can distinguish the symptoms. The findings published in journal Cell notes that before this study, "no one had even shown that TB produces an irritant that acts directly on the sensory innervation of the lungs".

Corresponding author Dr Michael Shiloh, associate professor of internal medicine and microbiology at UT Southwestern said, "People with active tuberculosis can cough for months and spread disease even when they are receiving appropriate treatment."

Read: World Tuberculosis Day 2026: Theme, Origin, And Significance

What Is India Doing To Control TB Cases?

On World TB Day, President Droupadi Murmu stressed that TB continues to pose a significant public health challenge and has affected millions of lives across the world. She urged all stakeholders to work together with collective resolve to end TB once for all.

To act on it, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda will launch a series of initiatives, including 'TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan - 100 Days Campaign', the TB Mukt Bharat App, and the TB Mukt Urban Ward Initiative. These measures are designed to strengthen the case detection, improve treatment adherence, and enhance last-mile delivery of TB services, especially in high-burden areas. The initiatives have also been aligned with the objectives of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme.

From physical problems like fatigue and vision problems, people who survive the deadly bacterial meningitis are likely to live with long-term fatigue and vision problems, as well as be at high risk of suicide, according to a new study.

The study comes as the UK is experiencing an outbreak of meningitis in Kent, that began among students who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury between March 5 and 7.

Although bacterial meningitis is treatable, it requires prompt, often immediate treatment for better recovery. Yet patients are likely to face the risk of fatal or long-term complications -- from physical, psychological, and social impacts, said researchers from the University of Otago, The Conversation reported.

The new findings, based on 16 cases from New Zealand, who reportedly suffered the fatal disease, showed that multiple chronic after-effects is permanent in some, while in others, it dragged on for years. The effects include:

• fatigue,
• difficulties with concentration,
• memory and emotional regulation,
• persistent headaches,
• issues with mobility, vision, and hearing.

• anxiety,
• depression
• suicidality.

"Our findings demonstrate that bacterial meningitis is much more than a life-threatening infection. It is an acute disease with serious, chronic after-effects which are poorly understood and often go unrecognised," the researchers said.

Kent Meningitis Outbreak

The bug that causes the infection has been identified as the known strain of meningitis B, and MenB vaccines will be offered to 5,000 students living in the University of Kent halls of residence in Canterbury.

Meanwhile, the UKHSA chief executive, Susan Hopkins, said the outbreak "looks like a super-spreader" event with "ongoing spread" through universities' halls of residence.

"There will have been some parties, particularly around this, so there will have been lots of social mixing. I can't yet say where the initial infection came from, how it's got into this cohort, and why it's created such an explosive amount of infections," she added.

As per Trish Mannes, UKHSA Regional Deputy Director for the South East, even after two doses, the MenB vaccine “does not protect against all strains of meningococcal disease, nor against all infections that can cause meningitis. It also does not prevent the bacteria from being carried and spread in the community”.

The UKHSA thus warned people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease, and to seek immediate medical attention if they or anyone they know develops these signs and symptoms.

Common symptoms include:

• rash
• sudden onset of high fever
• severe and worsening headache
• vomiting and diarrhea
• joint and muscle pain
• seizures.