Do I freeze my eggs

Hi Baby face welcome to the forum. That's a big decision to make. Can I ask what your Oncology team are recommending? Can you wait 6 weeks to start treatment or does it need to start now? I honestly believe that the only people that can make this choice is you but based on the best available advice from your team of the risks of delaying the start of chemo. Sorry not to have Been of much help. Best wishes Gail x

Hi there, gosh indeed that's a lot to take in and decide. I'm one if the champions here in this group and I just wanted to mention that the lovely team at Macmillan are at the end of the phone on 0800 808 0000 if you wanted to chat things through with someone independent. They won't tell you what to do but they might be a good listening ear for you.  Best wishes 

Hi. I've not posted before (long time lurker!) but your message really moved me. 

I have oestrogen positive breast cancer, so a different diagnosis to you, and was told treatment was to start immediately and there was no time to discuss freezing eggs. I was told I would start on Zoladex injections that day (first oncology appointment, when my head was spinning!), which I've been having monthly since, and essentially cause a medically induced menopause, reducing the oestrogen in my body. My oncologist told me that Zoladex protects the ovaries as well, by making them 'go under the radar' of chemo, as they no longer have fast changing cells in the way they do when you menstruate. She told me that even with time to consult the gynaecologist, many women opt for Zoladex rather than freezing eggs, as freezing eggs involves an oestrogen increase, which can be problematic for those with oestrogen positive diagnoses. I found the whole situation traumatic as I then received a letter which noted the delay in my initial oncology appointment being due to someone having forgotten to refer me. That said, I suspect even with those lost weeks, egg freezing wouldn't have been a viable option for me due to my diagnosis.

I appreciate that your diagnosis isn't oestrogen positive, but it might be worth talking to your oncologist about Zoladex as an option if treatment needs to start sooner than a gynaecology referral/decision.

I had been on the brink of starting a family (I was 38 at diagnosis) and have only recently revisited the conversation. Despite the recommendation of continuing with Zoladex and starting other meds (Anastrozole) to further reduce oestrogen for the next five years, my oncologist had told me that there is some evidence that stopping this onward treatment for a pregnancy may be possible. I don't personally feel it's sensible for me, as my cancer scored 8/8 oestrogen positive, I'm turning 40 soon, and would need IVF as I'm gay... but I'm mentioning this as I had genuinely thought the door was completely closed that day I was told it was too late to freeze my eggs, yet it seems for some women, fertility can be protected.

Zoladex isn't that bad (within the context of cancer treatment!) and although menopausal symptoms in your thirties is not ideal, it's tolerable. I've had so many friends have babies this year, and am currently grieving the loss of my fertility, but I wanted to reach out to you with a sense of hope, but also because I wish I'd known sooner to ask more questions about fertility earlier on. We'd always planned for me to have a pregnancy and then to adopt, and I've not always known I wanted to be a mum, so I think the whole situation is less psychologically difficult for me, and yet as I'm finishing radiotherapy and looking, tentatively, at life beyond active treatment, I'm mourning what could have been. It's a hell of a journey we're all on. Remember to be kind to yourself. You'll find your way through.  

I completely agree with the other comments - ultimately nobody can decide but you, and talking to your treatment team is vital.

Take good care x