Becoming pregnant after breastcancer

Steph73

Hi all! I am a 40 year old lesbian who is a year and a half out of treatment for breastcancer. My partner and I have been discussing attempting to have a baby. The second part of my chemo was Taxol and I suffered many severe, permanant side effects from chemo. My cancer was high risk and I am still considered high risk for developing another cancer. I have discussed having a baby with my oncologist and he says it would take an incredible amount of courage to even attempt to concieve since I would have to come off of all my meds for the well being of the baby. He's not even sure I can become pregnant so he's done some bloodwork that I'm waiting on the results of. My cancer wasn't hormone receptive so I'm not on Tamoxifin (sp?). The oncologist said that if I were to become pregnant, the risk of developing another cancer would greatly increase.

I'm wondering if anyone else here has gone through this, and has started thinking about having a child at such a late age and after having gone through this diagnosis and treatment.  Any thoughts? Opinions?

slg76

Hi there.  Sorry to hear of your struggle.  These decisions are so difficult!  

I am 36 and am 2 years out from treatment (chemo, lumpectomy, radiation).  I am currently off tamoxifen to try and have baby #2.  I have the full blessing of my onc to get pregnant.  My cancer was hormone pos but research shows that pregnancy after breast cancer does not increase the chance of recurrence.  That said, it seems that you might have some additional risk factors for recurrence?  I think only you know your limitations and if you can be a productive long-term parent.  I would suggest that you ask your onc WHY he/she is making particular suggestions to you and if he/she has scientific data to back up his/her decisions.  In my experience some onc are a bit outdated in thier knowledge and just say no to anyone trying to get pregnant.  I have had an onc tell me that I could NOT get pregnant again.  When I pushed the issue she admitted that she just thought it was socially ireesponsible for me to have another child becuase I may not be around to raise it (I am totally healthy right now).  Make sure you get medical advise from your doctor and then make your own ethical decisions.  

It sounds like you and your partner are in a tough spot.  Good luck to you!