Cancer treatment and still trying for a baby.

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I have been trying to get pregnant for the last 2-3 years. Last December I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I’m going to be having a lumpectomy soon and be on hormone therapy as well as having radiotherapy, will I still be able to get pregnant after treatment? 

  • Hi Karen,

    Thanks for getting in touch, and welcome to the Online Community. My name is Ursula and I’m one of the cancer information nurse specialists here at Macmillan cancer support.

    I am very sorry to read of your breast cancer diagnosis. I appreciate this must be a worrying time for you. Thinking about your fertility whilst also processing a cancer diagnosis is a lot, and it is understandable that you have questions around this.

    As we are independent of the NHS and do not have access to medical records, we are unable to offer personalised advice. However, your specialist team will be best placed to understand your individual situation, and what options may be available to you, and the timings around this.

    After treatment has finished there is no reliable way of checking how it may have affected fertility. If you can become pregnant and have a baby after treatment for breast cancer, there is no evidence that you are at increased risk of the cancer returning. There is also no evidence that there are any health risks to children born after breast cancer treatment.

    Breast cancer Now charity have the following resources which you may find helpful to read –

    - Fertility and breast cancer treatment

    - Planning pregnancy after breast cancer treatment

    - Fertility, pregnancy and breast cancer

    The Fertility Network UK also have a free support line run by two former fertility nurses – they too may be able to offer advice and support at this time.

    I hope this information provides you with a starting point and you can speak with your breast care team about your individual options when you next see them.

    Dealing with cancer diagnosis can be an emotional time, It is important to know there is support available.

    You may also find it helpful to chat in more detail with one of our nurses, by giving our support line a call. We often find we can explain our answers in a bit more detail over the phone, giving you the opportunity to ask more questions if needed. Also, the breast cancer forum on our online community can often offer support from others going through similar challenges.

    I do hope you find this information helpful, but please do not hesitate to get back in touch with us if you need any further support. 

     

    Take care, 

    Ursula

    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 send us an email.  

    Ref: UH/KM