DCIS & Pregnancy

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jess13
jess13 Member Posts: 9

I was diagnosed with DCIS, ER+, PR+ & HER2+ (no treatment/drugs). I had a bilateral mast on Nov 5, 2009 with immediate reconstruction on TE.

We have a two year old, but would love to have another baby. We were trying to get pregnant with #2 when I was diagnosed with BC. When I asked my surgeon about getting pregnant she said lets discuss this topic next year which will be a year after surgery.

Anyone else in the same situation and not sure if you want to take the risk of getting pregnant with being diagnosed with BC along with ER+, PR+ and HER2+?

We had a hard time getting pregnant with our daughter so more than likely our best option would be IVF which of course that probably isn't the best situation with the increase of hormones drugs.    

Thanks! Jess

Comments

  • CAROLMARIE427
    CAROLMARIE427 Member Posts: 206
    edited January 2010

    Hi. I would think that with bilateral mastectomy that you won't be receiving tamoxifen or other drugs if it is pure DCIS. This would mean that there are no drugs in your system to interfere with pregnancy. As long as you are healed physically and emotionally from your surgeries, I cannot see why you can't progress with your pregnancy plans once your reconstruction is finished.

  • jess13
    jess13 Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2010

    Thanks for your post! I am hoping that is the case! Since I was ER & PR positive along with HER2+, just not sure if that increases the chance of BC coming back especially if I have to go through IVF.

  • tamc130
    tamc130 Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2010

    When I was diagnosed I had just had my second miscarriage and my doctors were aware of and very supportive of my desire to have more children.  We all kept that in mind when making all of my treatment decisions.  I had a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders placed in March 2008.  I had my final exchange in August 2008.  My oncologist advised me not to take tamoxifen as I have some clotting issues and he thought that the risks would outweigh the benefits in my case as well as making the time frame to pursue more children longer.  I am happy to say that after 3 miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy I am currently 16 weeks pregnant and all seems to be going well.  My doctors do not feel that I am at any increased risk of recurrance due to my pregnanct.  I can not really speak to IVF as I did not consult the oncologist about that.  I wish you the best of luck.  I remember my oncologist saying at one point early on that cancer could become something that occured back in 2008 but that not having the family I desired to have would have much longer lasting effects and that I should not give up my desire to become a mother again.  I came to realize that he was right and that I should not let my fear of a recurrance prevent me from living the life I fought so hard to keep. 

  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited January 2010

    Jess, I agree with Carol Marie... having both breasts removed makes ER+/PR+ moot. Since you had DCIS rather than invasive, there's no chance that any stray cancer cells could still be in your body. I'd say you're clear for takeoff! Smile

    tamc130, I have goosebumps reading your post -- CONGRATULATIONS!!! I was diagnosed about a year after my fourth miscarriage. I know the heartbreak of having so many miscarriages and then getting that kick to the gut while you're down, a cancer diagnosis... how wonderful that your story has a happy ending! Great big congrats to you on being able to have a sweet precious baby! Your story gives me hope that maybe I can be a Mommy one day.

  • toni67
    toni67 Member Posts: 62
    edited January 2010

    I'm a parent of two great boys (10 and 7) and I would love to have another child, but at 43 I don't know if I can handle it. This cancer diagnosis has stressed me emotionally and physically. I have not had my period since being told I had breast cancer. I know I'm not pregnant...three home pregnancy tests...told me so and the DH has not wanted to have sex since I was diagnosed. I'm scheduled for MX in Feb and can't wait until everything is back to "normal".

    Bless of luck to you. I hope you are gifted with a child once everything is said and done.

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