A breast cancer diagnosis can change a woman's life in an instant. What once felt ordinary suddenly becomes a series of medical appointments, tests, treatments, and decisions she never imagined having to make. Her relationship with her body shifts, questions about the future emerge, and she finds herself searching for strength, even on days when finding it feels impossible. Behind every diagnosis is a woman trying to make sense of a new reality, while her life and the lives of those around her begin to change.
Photography: Nick Fancher
And in the midst of this experience, when the disease already presents an enormous physical and emotional challenge, another medical complication deserves attention: cancer and some of its treatments can increase the risk of developing thrombosis. It is a possibility rarely discussed, yet understanding it can make a meaningful difference in how patients are supported and protected.
The intention is not to introduce additional concerns into an already demanding experience, but to recognize that cancer care must extend beyond treating the disease itself. It also means anticipating complications, recognizing warning signs, and ensuring that every woman has the information she needs to navigate treatment more safely.
As part of World Thrombosis Day, the 2026 campaign turns its attention to women's health throughout the different stages of life. From this perspective, the Mexican Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis (SOMETH) is calling for greater recognition of thrombosis as a public health concern that requires prevention, early diagnosis, timely access to treatment, and ongoing medical follow-up.
A Complication That Isn't Always Visible
Our bodies possess an extraordinary defense mechanism: the ability to form blood clots to stop bleeding when an injury occurs. Yet this same process, essential to protecting us, can become dangerous when it is activated inappropriately, causing clots to form inside blood vessels. This is known as thrombosis, and its consequences depend on where it occurs and which part of the circulation is affected.
Blood clots can contribute to serious medical events, including heart attacks, ischemic strokes, and pulmonary embolisms. Among people living with cancer, one of the primary concerns is venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT)—when a clot forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs, although it can occur elsewhere—and pulmonary embolism, which happens when part of a clot breaks away and travels to the lungs.
The connection between cancer and thrombosis has a medical explanation. Cancer itself can disrupt the body's natural clotting mechanisms, making blood clots more likely to form. Certain cancer therapies, surgical procedures, hospitalizations, and prolonged periods of immobility can further increase this risk. Together, these factors may contribute to a complication that is not always immediately apparent.
“The risk of thrombosis in a person with cancer does not depend on a single factor. It results from an interaction between the disease itself, each patient's individual characteristics, and the treatments they receive. That is why risk assessment must be personalized and should be part of the clinical conversation from the very beginning,” explains Dr. Flavio A. Grimaldo Gómez, a specialist in internal medicine and hematology and a member of SOMETH's Scientific Committee.
Importantly, a breast cancer diagnosis does not mean that thrombosis is inevitable. Every patient has a different medical history and circumstances that may influence her individual risk. Previous blood clots, preexisting health conditions, the type of treatment prescribed, and the need for surgery are among the factors specialists consider when making clinical decisions.
“The question is not simply whether a patient has breast cancer, but which factors come together in her particular case. Based on that assessment, the medical team can determine whether preventive measures are needed and which are most appropriate, always balancing the risk of developing a clot against the risk of bleeding,” the specialist adds.
Detail of a woman’s torso and shoulder / Photography: Danny Owens
For World Thrombosis Day, the 2026 campaign focuses on women’s health across different stages of life.
Listening to the Body During Treatment
Undergoing cancer treatment also means learning to live in a body that may feel different from one day to the next. Fatigue, physical discomfort, and treatment-related side effects can change how a woman experiences and interprets her own physical sensations. In this context, recognizing when a change requires medical attention is not always straightforward, particularly when there is already so much to process.
Deep vein thrombosis may cause sudden swelling in a leg or arm, unexplained pain or tenderness, warmth in the affected area, redness, or changes in skin color. Although these symptoms can have different causes, they should be evaluated promptly by a healthcare professional.
A particularly dangerous complication occurs when a blood clot breaks away and travels to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, or coughing up blood are symptoms that require emergency medical attention. In some cases, thrombosis may also develop without obvious symptoms, which is why the absence of discomfort does not replace clinical assessment.
“Recognizing symptoms can make a difference, but we should not wait for them to appear before discussing prevention. In patients with risk factors, medical assessment helps identify which measures are appropriate and when action is necessary. If symptoms suggest thrombosis or a possible pulmonary embolism, seeking medical attention without delay must be the priority,” says Dr. Grimaldo Gómez.
Prevention Shouldn't Become Another Burden
There is something we must not lose sight of: a woman facing breast cancer is already navigating an experience that demands an extraordinary capacity to adapt. Between treatments, physical changes, and decisions that can feel overwhelming, identifying the risk of thrombosis should not become another responsibility she must manage alone. Prevention should be an integral part of medical care, with strategies tailored to her needs and to each stage of the disease.
Assessment begins with understanding her medical history and the circumstances that may affect blood clotting. A personal history of thrombosis, prescribed treatments, potential surgical procedures, hospitalization, or reduced mobility can all help the medical team determine which preventive measures may be necessary.
In certain situations, prevention may involve recommendations related to mobility or specific precautions during hospitalization and following surgery. In others, specialists may consider anticoagulant medications, which help reduce blood clot formation. However, these treatments can also increase the risk of bleeding and are not appropriate for every patient. They should never be taken without a medical prescription and professional supervision.
The key lies in finding the right balance. Not every woman requires the same interventions, and the level of risk does not necessarily remain constant throughout cancer treatment. Preventive strategies must evolve alongside the disease, the treatment plan, and each patient's individual circumstances, helping to avoid both complications and unnecessary interventions.
Detail of the female body in an editorial composition / Photography: Danny Owens
SOMETH, as part of World Thrombosis Day 2026, aims to raise awareness of a condition that can affect women at different stages of life and under various circumstances, including during cancer treatment.
A More Human Perspective on Women's Health
Breast cancer awareness campaigns have profoundly changed the way we understand and discuss the disease. Today, we speak more openly about early detection, treatment options, and the importance of supporting those who receive a diagnosis. Yet a patient's experience cannot be reduced to medical procedures or clinical results. It is also shaped by uncertainty, unexpected changes, and the need to feel heard and understood at every stage.
Understanding the relationship between breast cancer and thrombosis is part of this broader perspective. It means recognizing that a woman's well-being depends on multiple aspects of her health, and that anticipating potential complications can contribute to safer, more comprehensive care. It also means ensuring that patients and their families have access to clear, thoughtful information that allows them to participate in decisions about their treatment without unnecessary fear.
In this context, SOMETH's initiative, connected to World Thrombosis Day 2026, seeks to raise awareness of a condition that can affect women under different circumstances and throughout various stages of life, including during cancer treatment. Its message emphasizes prevention, timely recognition of symptoms, access to treatment, and continuity of medical care.
For a woman living with breast cancer, understanding this connection can mean knowing which questions to ask during an appointment, recognizing a symptom that should not be ignored, or understanding why her medical team recommends certain preventive measures. More importantly, it can offer reassurance that her health is being considered as a whole, including aspects she may never have thought to question.
Because a woman facing breast cancer is already going through enough. Caring for her also means anticipating the risks that can be prevented and standing beside her through those she cannot control.
For more information, visit www.someth.org.mx.
