Diagnosed DCIS - I want a baby

MereMere

Hi! I was just diagnosed Friday Dec. 13. I have a very strong history on my mothers side and am waiting for the brca tests to come back. My doctor mentioned both surgery's with radiation and hormone therapy as a possibility. I am 32 with er and pr positive with no signs of invasion.

My partner and I were trying to get pregnant so I went for a physical to make sure I was healthy. Then this cancer pops up on the mammogram. I am wondering if any women out there have been able to conceive and have healthy babies after treatment? How long should we wait after treatment? I've read a lot about the 5 year tamoxifen pill but I don't want to be pushing 40 and get pregnant. Anyone have any advice? Thanks!

Moderators

Hi MereMere, and welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry that you've had to find this awesome community, but glad you're here to find support.

The Young with Breast Cancer forum has several threads on subjects around pregnancy and BC where you can connect with others who are or have been in similar situations. The main Breastcancer.org site also has an extensive section Fertility and Pregnancy Issues During and After Breast Cancer that may be helpful.

• The Mods

jennyg1975

Hi MereMere,

I'm so sorry that you find yourself in this situation, but I wanted to let you know that you are not alone, and that I was able to conceive after treatment. In fact, I'm currently 7.5 months pregnant! I was diagnosed about a year ago when a lump that doctors had been watching for 15 years (they thought it was due to fibrocystic changes) grew much larger after I had a chemical pregnancy. I was diagnosed right after my 37th birthday, so I certainly understand not wanting to wait too long to get back on the path to conceiving!

My advice to you is to talk candidly with all of your doctors - breast surgeon, medical oncologist, and plastic surgeon, if you go down that route - and tell them about your strong desire to be a mom. They will most likely provide you with a treatment plan tailored to your needs. I actually didn't take Tamoxifen because I had a bilateral mastectomy (I had DCIS in several parts of my left breast, so it couldn't be saved) and Tamoxifen usually isn't prescribed for those who had BMXs for DCIS. However, I do know that some doctors will allow their patients to go off the medication to conceive before the full 5 years, and have them start again after they give birth. Since I treated my DCIs with a BMX alone, I was able to try conceiving within 5 months of my mastectomy since my plastic surgeon rushed me through the expansion and exchange phases of reconstruction since she knew we were trying to have a baby. Once I healed from the exchange in about 6 weeks, I was cleared to conceive, so I was derailed for about 6 months in total. Also, none of this impacted my fertility. In fact, my 40 year old husband and I conceived a healthy baby girl on the first try - not too shabby!!

Good luck with everything, and please let me know if I can help you though this in any way.

Jen

sunshinegal

Hi MereMere,

First of all, big hugs. Sorry you're joining the community, but add me as another voice that says yes! A baby is possible after treatment for DCIS. I was diagnosed in October 2010 (at age 36); had a mastectomy in Nov 2010; exchange surgery in Apr 2011; and cleared to try to conceive in May 2011. In April 2012 we had our son.

My dx was such that my docs were okay with me skipping Tamoxifen altogether. That may or may not be the case for you, but as someone else suggested, talk early and often about your desire to conceive. If your dx is pure DCIS, there should be no impact to your reproductive system (even if you do lumpectomy with radiation, as I understand it the radiation comes nowhere close to your reproductive organs...).

Breastfeeding may be another matter, but I managed to breastfeed my son for a year with my 'good boob'!

MereMere

Thanks Jenny and Sunshinegal!! 

I am so greatful to have this online community!!  It's great to know there are so many out there that where able to conceive and have healthy babies.  

beatrice00

I had a bilateral mastectomy and do not need any further treatment at all, not even tamoxifen. That could also happen in your case.  You can start trying for a baby pretty quick then. I cross my fingers for you and wish you the best. 

danawp

I was the same.  DCIS with a BMX.  No radiation, no chemo and no recommendation for tamoxifen.   Hope that helps... Good luck to you!

MereMere

Thanks Ladies!! How did you decide to do a Mx over a Lumpectomy?  This is the question I am struggling with.  I have an appt with my BS today but it feels like its 2 yrs from now.  I am just so anxious and ready for this to be over! 

laura11103

I just got through my treatment and planning to do IVF in April, I am 42... I have a son born April 2012 through IVF and want to give him a sibling...  my doctor has OK'd my treatment now just gotta hope the IVF works again!

Good luck!!!!

ziggypop

MereMere - I have not heard ever ever ever a single reason why somebody with DCIS can not or should not have a baby. It could be possible that your surgery will indicate a higher stage & then some choices would have to be made, but as things stand - go for it. You can take a break from Tamoxifen for a while. I hope to see pics of you and your partner & your little one posted here soon. When you do make that post, you'll have to give us your address so we can send baby presents. 

MereMere

thanks Ziggy! We are talking about it.  honestly the tamoxifen scares me.  But like Mel said the other day, "If we are supposed to be moms then it will happen. God is in control."  

I am so grateful to have this site to talk with others about all of this.  You ladies are all amazing!!