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Breasyt cancer and pregnancy

0411
  • 1 reply
  • 37 subscribers
  • 111 views

I have a question i would like to ask. Im 41yo, got diagnosed with breast cancer recently and had mastectomy, awaiting for pathology results to determine f i will need chemo/radiotherapy. My question is  what if i get pregnant before starting any further plans. Is it safe to try getting pregnant? I really want to have another baby. I had miscarriage 2yrs ago. If  i wait for my treatments to be finish i might be too old to carry a child. They offer egg freezing but i will have to take hormone tablets  to suppress esteogen for 5yrs for my breast cancer. I dont know if that is possible to have a baby at 46yo post cbeno and long term hormone therapy?

  • Hello 0411

    Thanks for getting in touch and a warm welcome to the Online Community. I’m Heidi one of the Cancer Information Nurses here on the Macmillan Support Line.

    I appreciate how concerned you are about being able to become pregnant either before or after your treatment has finished. I am sorry to hear about your miscarriage which must have been a very upsetting time for you.

    It’s very important to talk to your treatment team about your concerns before you make any plans to start trying for a baby. Your consultant or nurse specialist will always be best placed to understand your individual situation and will be able to explain if it is safe to get pregnant now. They can also discuss with you the possible risks to your fertility when you start treatment.

    It is very difficult to know if it will be possible for you to have a baby post chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Effects of the drugs on fertility both temporarily and longer term depend on many factors.

    It is important to use contraception to prevent a pregnancy whilst you are having treatment, this is because these drugs may harm an unborn baby. Please do feel comfortable talking to you breast care team about your worries and concerns.

    There is no evidence that cancer treatments harm children conceived after treatment is finished. But doctors usually recommend that you use contraception for a while after treatment to let your body recover.

    Worrying about your fertility may seem hard when you are already coping with cancer. It can also be difficult waiting to see if your fertility will return. Some people have a sense of loss and sadness.

    You may feel that choices are being taken away from you because of cancer. This can be very upsetting, and it may help to talk to someone about this. There is no right or wrong way to feel, and everyone is different, but it is important you have the right support.

    Your GP can give you support and may suggest a counsellor for you to talk to. Other organisations such as the British Infertility Counselling Association and Fertility Network UK can also provide emotional support.

    For a list of fertility clinics in the UK, see the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) website. You can ask if you can be referred to a clinic that specialises in preserving fertility for cancer patients.

    Breast Cancer Now have a booklet you can download or order about fertility, pregnancy, and breast cancer that you might find helpful.

    Sharing experiences with others in similar situations can help and we have a very welcoming breast cancer forum.  

    Dealing with cancer can be a very emotional time and you might also find it helpful to read our web pages about emotional support.

    I hope the information provides a starting point and you are able to talk to your breast care team about your options and concerns as soon as possible. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch again if we can support you further.

    Best wishes and take care,

     

    Heidi

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

     

     

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

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