35 just had a baby, newly diagnosed

newlydx15

Diagnosed today, ductal carcinoma, plan, to begin chemo, then lumpectomy. Questions regarding chemo at my age, should I bypass, and get a partial masectomy, with breast implant already in place,? or try chemo first? My concerns are that chemo will affect fertility, I'm not done having children. Advice?

Moderators

Hi newlydx15, welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry you have to be here... but glad you found this wonderful community, and hope you'll get the information and support you're seeking.

Until other members come along to post here on the boards, you can read through the pages of the section called Breastcancer 101 from our main site. This section has been designed to help you sort through all of the information on our site to find what is more relevant to you right now like understanding test results, the individual characteristics of the cancer, Fertility Issues to Discuss Before You Start Treatment, etc.

Hope this helps!

The Mods

debiann

Sorry you have to be here, but you will find lots of information and support on the forum. 

If chemo has been recommended for you, then having a mastectomy (mx) does not change that recommendation, you will still need chemo. The reason for this is that the mx prevents a local or new cancer in the breast only. The purpose of chemo is to kill any cancer cell that have left the breast and are traveling around your body (distant recurrance). It is hoped that the chemo will prevent the cancer from metastasizing in your bones, liver, lungs or brain (the areas bc usually spreads to.)

If you have a lumpectomy (lx), you will also need radiation. Sometimes, by having a mx you can skip radiation.

Good luck to you.

Trvler

I think you should discuss your fertility issues with your doctor.

sbeddows

Hi newlydx15.....I am in the same position as you and same age group with a young baby. I spoke to a fertility specialist yesterday myself and all that was really an option for me was egg harvesting.....I am not sure if this is an option for you?! If so it will need to be done before your chemo starts and will delay the treatment start for at least 2 weeks or so.....but it will raise your chances of having another child when you are done with all of this

Racy

Dear NewlyDx, that was fast - diagnosis and treatment decision on the same day. I recommend you slow things down a little until you understand your diagnosis a bit better.

There are so many variables to each person's individual diagnosis and circumstances, as there are so many treatment options.

Neoadjuvant chemo (before surgery) is often used to shrink a tumour so that you might have an easier surgery, such as a lumpectomy.

If you are concerned about fertility, you definitely need to talk with your doctor about that before starting chemo.

I hope your doctor explained everything to you. You may also want to get a second opinion.

Do you know the pathology of the cancer - type, size, grade, hormone receptors, HER2?

We can certainly help you here. I suggest don't rush into anything until you learn more about your cancer and your options.

Keep in touch.