Pregnancy after Mastectomy

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angel_11
angel_11 Member Posts: 8
edited November 2016 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi Ladies.

I am posting this for a friend of mine as her situation is different than mine. My friend had a double prophylactic mastectomy done. She was not diagnosed with cancer but due to a high risk in the family, and an scare she had with a pre-cancer condition, she decided to do this. 

She therefore didnt have any radiation or chemo. She had skin sparing mastectomy with silicone implants. No other hormone or medicine treatment. 

She wants to know if this will have any influence on her conceiving a baby? From what I found on the internet, a mastectomy will not have any influence on fertility. 

Anyone?

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  • Asto
    Asto Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2011

    I just had a double mastectomy on March 8th, with reconstruction. I do not need chemo or radiation. Asked my breast surgeon afterwards about pregnancy and when I could start trying. She said as soon as I was recovered from my surgery we could try. I need to ask plastic surgeon about it, as I still have a swap surgery. Nobody seems terribly concerned about me trying when recovered though.

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  • lcr
    lcr Member Posts: 4
    edited May 2011

    I was just online looking for any information on pregnancy post Mastectomy because I just found out that I am pregnant a few months ago.  I am similar to your friend and to Asto.  I had a double mastectomy June 2010 after finding out I had breast cancer.  My tumor was very small but since I have BRCA1 and my grandmother was diagnosed at such a young age I felt that having a DM was the best thing for me to do.  I had reconstructive surgery in August 2010.  I did not need to do chemo or radiation.  I found that right after my surgeries my hormones went a little nuts, this could have been mostly to do with getting off birth control for the first time since I was 17 years old.  My cycle was all over the place, so I couldn't figure out what my body was doing.  I felt the same way, worried if my body would be healthy enough to get pregnant or stay pregnant.  But March of this year I found out I was pregnant.  I am still early along, only 11 weeks but things are amazing so far.  I feel great!  Much love to both of you and your friend.

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  • lcr
    lcr Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2011

    I am not sure if many are searching or interested in this topic but there really isn't much out there that I have been able to find.  I posted early on in my pregnany and now am only 4 days away from my due date.  There have been a few things that I have noticed:

    - armpits were a poofy on one side (must still have some breast tissue over there)

    - sensitive nipples and more soreness in places around my breast where there wasn't soreness or sensitivity before.

    - emotional challenges that come with not having the option of breastfeeding

    - comments from SO many people about how "breastfeeding is the best feeding"

    - decisions around buying or getting donated breast milk

    - etc.

    Just wanted to put some of this down and am happy to chat with anyone who is going through the same thing.  Thanks! 

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  • hginsea
    hginsea Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2011

    Thank you for posting Icr.  I may be pregnant and notice a full sensation around my reconstructed breasts.  I also have sensitivity in odd places like under my right breast and the side of my left breast.  I am guessing that this is where some tissue remains after my double mastectomy.  Like you I have found it very difficult to find info on if there can be some breast sensitivity with pregnancy after a double mastectomy so I really appreciate your post!

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  • Nordy
    Nordy Member Posts: 2,106
    edited December 2011

    Mastectomy has zero bearing on fertility. Now treatment of breast cancer with chemo is a whole other story.

    I got pregnant after treatment for BC and had a beautiful, healthy baby girl (was diagnosed with BC the day before my first daughter turned 3 months). I have to say, that the hardest part for me was not being able to breast feed. At the time I had one breast that was nipple/areola sparing mastectomy, and it did produce milk, although not enough to ever feed my daughter. I had two very good friends that donated breast milk to me. It wasn't much, but atleast my baby got about 6 ounces of breast milk a day for 6 weeks... Better than nothing, I think, but that was the hardest thing I had to deal with. Since your friend has a medical reason why she cannot breast feed, she could get milk through the donor bank (there are 2, I believe, and one is in TX). I am paranoid about other people's milk, but I did have a friend that used to donate to them and she said they test it regularly for disease... and she was a really good person and also donated to my first daughter (pumped and froze) after I started treatment and had to abruptly quit breast feeding. There is an article in here somewhere that talks about pregnancy after BC and that it does have a bit of protective benefit. I will have to see if I can find it... but my onc at the time agreed. 

    Congrats Icr!

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  • Nordy
    Nordy Member Posts: 2,106
    edited December 2011

    http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/fert_preg_adopt/new_research/20061208.jsp

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  • J3gibbs
    J3gibbs Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2016

    hi I know it's a long time since you posted but I'd love to get in touch and find out more!

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  • LisaPinkRibbon
    LisaPinkRibbon Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2016

    Hi everyone,

    I have had PM more than eight years ago and am now 7 weeks pregnant. Did take a couple of months to conceive but I think this has NOTHING to do with my PM, more with my age (34) and little patience ;-).

    I am glad to have finally found information and more importantly experiences on this topic, since it has been hard. I wonder whether my breast will feel any different or change, although there shouldn't really be any tissue left over. A bit scary.

    I know breast feeding is the best thing you can do for your child, but I also know plenty of children who grew up with bottles who are abslutely fine. Somehow the idea of feeding another woman's milk creeps me out a little .. hahaha, sorry. even from a close friend, and I know they will offer, as soon as they find out I am pregant. will have second thoughts once I'm closer and discuss with my husband ;-).

    Anyone who would like to know more about my story, please see this Topic: "Why did you decide to do Genetic Testing? Postives? Negatives?" .. everything described in detail there.

    All the best to everyone and congrats o the mummies!

    @J3gibbs: we could get in touch if you want .. but I am also still looking for some more info ..

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