Diagnosed with cancer while trying to conceive.. What now???

VegasGirl7

Hello,

I'm brand new here and absolutely devastated. I am 38 and have been trying to conceive for a little over a year, I know its already pretty late but I just haven't had a chance to have kids sooner.

Was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, early stage 1, 0,6cm. Doctors recommend lumpectomy followed by radiation and 5 years of hormonal therapy (most likely Tamoxifen), which basically means I can't have kids for AT least 5-6 years if ever. This absolutely brakes my heart, I'm not even upset about cancer as much as i am about this.

I have to wait until after surgery to meet with oncologist, but as of not i think i will decline hormone therapy, at least until after I have kids. Has anyone dealt with this before? what are my chances i don't take the drug? Is it really necessary?

DorothyB

Once you have the lumpectomy, a pathology report will be done which will give you a lot more info. Do you know from the biopsy if your tumor is ER + (sounds like it is as that is what will make hormone therapy helpful). Also HER2 status (probably negative if they aren't recommending chemo).

Find out if your doctor is doing oncotype (a test on samples from the lumpectomy). This will give you one reading of the chance of recurrence if you do hormone therapy. There are also two online tests that will give you information on potential longevity if you do or don't do hormone therapy or chemo. You will need to know things like grade, etc to complete these. One thread that includes info on these two is here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics/873778?page=1

Remember that even if chance of recurrence or not having recurrence is only 2%, someone has to be in that 2%

VegasGirl7

Thank you DorothyB this is very helpful

Moderators

Hi VegasGirl7-

We want to welcome you to our community, although we're so sorry for what brings you here. We can't imagine how hard this has been to process. As DorothyB mentioned, once you have your pathology results, you'll have lots more info about your diagnosis and treatment options or recommendations. Definitely discuss all the options with your doctor, and don't be afraid to get a second opinion. We wish you the best on your surgery, please keep us posted on how everything goes!

The Mods