Stopping Tamoxifen to Have a Baby?

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nem126
nem126 Member Posts: 109
edited January 2017 in Young With Breast Cancer

Hi All,

I am 32 years old. Just got married. A few months later and BAM, breast cancer diagnosis. My surgery is next week so I am still early on in my journey and a lot has yet to reveal itself about my treatment plan. However, I do know that Tamoxifen will eventually be a part of it. We talked to a fertility specialist, and its beyond us financially to go the IVF route, plus I just didn't feel comfortable with it.

So, as Tamoxifen has been shown to cause birth defects, I obviously don't want to get pregnant while on it. I don't want to take huge risks to my own health either. But we still want a family, if there is anyway left to do that. It's hard to just give up.

Are there any younger ladies out there going through a similar circumstance? Has anyone stopped or delayed Tamoxifen to start a family? Are there any alternatives for young women? Any experience or advice someone can give is so appreciated. I feel lost, and like there aren't many choices left.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited January 2017

    Here is a huge thread on the subject:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/27/topics...



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  • nem126
    nem126 Member Posts: 109
    edited January 2017

    Awesome, thank you!!

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  • Jezikah
    Jezikah Member Posts: 93
    edited January 2017

    Also, check out the Livestrong program for fertility preservation. They do help you with the costs of doing egg retrieval if you change your mind about it. It can end up being mostly covered and you only pay the storage fees of $700-1000/yr until you use your eggs/embryos.

    Will you be doing chemo/radiation or just tamoxifen? Many women come off Tamoxifen to get pregnant with no issues, fertility preservation should be looked into if you're doing chemo.

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  • nem126
    nem126 Member Posts: 109
    edited January 2017

    Thanks! I will look into it. I have surgery this coming Thursday. We don't know my lymph node status yet, so chemo is still up in the air. Even if I don't end up needing chemo, by the time I am off of tamoxifen I will be approaching 40, so I don't have high hopes of conceiving naturally. I know it can happen, and does with a lot of people. I just worry about risks.

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  • MirandaPriestly
    MirandaPriestly Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2017

    Sorry you had to join this group, nem126. I'm in a very similar position as you. I was diagnosed at 31yo (now 32) about 10 months after our wedding and a month or 2 before we had planned on starting to try to expand our family. It's devastating :/ I had my BMX in August, though, and have since fully recovered. I was fortunate to not have any lymph node involvement and a lower stage/grade, so I avoided chemo. My husband and I decided to go with Tamoxifen for 10 years (we opted out of the Lupron/ovary suppression combo), but we plan on taking a break after 3 years to try for a kid. I want two, so maybe I'll convince him for another break in 2 years after that, but that's so far down the road anyway. My oncologist was pretty accepting of this route, as well.

    I wish I could offer alternatives, but you could talk to your MO about a baby break once you're on the mend and ready to start post surgery treatment. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!! xx

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  • nem126
    nem126 Member Posts: 109
    edited January 2017

    Thanks Miranda. While I don't wish this crap on anyone, it's helpful to hear from other people my age in a similar situation. I am recovering from my lumpectomy now- it went well, and the surgeon doesn't think there is lymph node involvement, however we won't know for sure until I get the pathology back in another week. I had a the cancer tumor and sentinal lymphs removed from my left breast, and then a tiny but suspicious spot of microcalcs removed from my right breast. When the full pathology comes back I will know if those are also cancer or not. I am hoping not, because if so I might be considering a mastectomy as well. We'll see. Once day at a time. For now, things look hopeful.

    The prospect of going off the tamoxifen for a year to have a baby sounds hopeful. I guess I will talk to my MO and see what she thinks. Depends on the oncotype etc. I am sure. Can I ask, what form of birth control are you going to use when you are on tamox and not trying to get pregnant? I've heard the copper IUD (non hormonal) is an option, but I think there are some side effects- heavy bleeding etc. However, it might be the only option since we can't go on the pill.

    Thanks for your feedback, it was really good to hear from you. Wishing you the best!!

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