Hi everyone,
Was diagnosed in june 2008 with a small low grade ER+ tumor. Was then put on Tamoxifen and Zoladex and been told that ill stay on this for 5 yrs. I had a double mastectomy as I was only 22 when I got BC; really really really want a baby of my own once am off the treatment but im petrified that it will come back as i was pregnant just before i got BC and lost the baby…have been told that this and my genetics = breast cancer. I had the double mast as a preventative measure, so I know that it wont come back primary, just worried about secondaries.Anyway im just wondering if anyone knowss of anyone that has had a purely hormone cancer then gone on to have children and not had reoccurance because of the surge of estrogen? I think i need to make the decision now if to have kids or not so i can get used to my decision. I cant see my life without kids and would prefer to have one of my own.
Anyones input would be greatly appreciated.
x
hi mairead
sorry to hear you lost you baby.
although its unusual for cancer to come back as a primary after a mastectomy it can still occur in the tissue or skin left behind… secondaries would be rare too if none of your nodes were affected but you havent mentioned them.
have you actually been checked for the brca genes when you say about that its genetic? generally i would have thought with a woman of your age with a gentic cancer they would have offered IVF and removal of ovaries?
as for becoming pregnant after hormone treatment i was on tamoxifen for 3 years and my consultant was happy for me to stop treatment to try and conceive (but got cancer again so planning to try next year after treatment ends)… he said he has lots of women who have successfully concieved after tamoxifen… wasnt on zoladex so never asked him about this… however tamoxifen has been given for infertility…
but generally speaking i wouldnt take this decision lightly and would arrange to speak to your consultant and your team about risks from your treatment, risks of recurrence, and risks of pregnancy.
because your young they may suggest you wait 5 years till treatment is over or they may be happy for you to suspend treatment sooner to conceive and recommence it… there is a BC advice leaflet on pregnancy and BC im sure one of the moderators will post the link for you.
maybe you could be refrered to gynae too and have discussion with them about it too.
let me know what you decide id be interested to hear how you get on.
Lulu x
Hi Mairead
I have put for you below links to 2 of BCC’s publications regarding fertility. If you would like to give the helpline a call I’m sure they’ll be able to talk to you in more detail about this as well. Calls are free, 0808 800 6000 open M-F 9-5 and Sat 9-2.
Fertility issues:
breastcancercare.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/publications/quick-order-list/*/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/84/
Standards of care for younger women:
breastcancercare.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/publications/quick-order-list/*/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/87/
Hope these help. Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator
Thanks, lulu, no nodes 9mm and grade 1 stage one so small and very early. I have been tested for both of the BRCA genes but it came up negative so not sure that they will want to remove my ovaries. I have an appointment next month with my onc so ill see what she says and let you know, i know I have years left yet about making a decision but would like to do it sooner rather than later as im in two minds and its getting me down a little bit!
Did you get another primary cancer Lulu? what did your Onc say about you trying again? Sorry to be nosey!
Emily x
Hi Emily
i did get another primary in the other side… my first one was like yours 13mm grade 1 stage 1 no nodes so was just treated with WLE and rads and5 years of tamox.
this year got 19mm grade 3 stage 1 no nodes but not hormone sensitive so had WLE and chemo then going to have rads and to go back on tamox for the final 2 years for the first bc… but dont need to restart it or have it for the full 2 years.
spoke to onc last month about having another baby (my kids are 15 and 18) and as im 41 time isnt on my side so would need to do it sooner rather than later… onc said he was happy to support me and that i would get close monitoring through pregnancy.
the risk of recurrence from your BC is pretty low from looking at risk assessment tools as its low grade etc.
some people feel they wouldnt want to have a baby in case something happened to them where as i feel i want to go for it incase nothing else happens to me but even if it did my partner would be a fab dad and it would be leaving a wee bit of me with him.
we are all very different about or thoughts and experiences but i hope speaking to your team helps with some of the decisions.
Love Lulu xx