Diagnosed DCIS - I want a baby

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MereMere
MereMere Member Posts: 158
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)


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!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2013


    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

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  • jennyg1975
    jennyg1975 Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2013


    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!!Winking


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


    Jen

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  • sunshinegal
    sunshinegal Member Posts: 209
    edited December 2013

    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'!

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  • MereMere
    MereMere Member Posts: 158
    edited December 2013

    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.  

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  • beatrice00
    beatrice00 Member Posts: 103
    edited December 2013

    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. 

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  • danawp
    danawp Member Posts: 99
    edited December 2013

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

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  • MereMere
    MereMere Member Posts: 158
    edited January 2014

    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! 

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  • laura11103
    laura11103 Member Posts: 87
    edited January 2014

    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!!!!

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  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited January 2014

    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. 

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  • MereMere
    MereMere Member Posts: 158
    edited January 2014

    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!!

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