Hi, apologies for creating yet another post on having babies after breast cancer, but having read and contributed to some I still don't feel I have got the wisdom I actually need from all you lovely ladies out there.
I am 3 years 3 months post diagnosis, 2 lumps left breast, small (6mm and 1.8 mm), 3 nodes with micro mets, grade 2 ER+ PR+. Her -, chemo, masectomy, on tamoxifen. Had a 19 month little girl when diagnosed and was trying for second baby at diagnosis.
Completly removed the thought of being able to have another baby from my mind for the last 3 years. Have been post menopausal from chemo and also had zoladex. The beginning of the year my periods returned and Onc confirmed I am now pre menopausal. Did some research into pregnancy after breast cancer and it seems and consultant confirmed that there is no research to suggest that having a baby would make the cancer come back, which surprised me. I have always wondered if having my daughter triggered my breast cancer as consultant said lumps had been around for a minimum of a year max of two years. High levels of hormones in pregnancy, hormone positive cancer surely this is common sense, or maybe not!
The dilemma I have is do I have another baby? I always wanted two children and have struggled a lot that this would not be possible. But equally I fear that having a baby would trigger secondaries or another primary in my other breast and then I would not be around for not just one but two children. But, if the research is to be the case, then having another baby should not make any difference to my prognosis, so why am I denying myself something that would make my little family very happy.
I have spoken to my consultant and he says it is not the pregnancy that is the issue, it is whether considering the risk of my cancer returning based on my diagnosis. He showed me all these prognosis tools and now I am more confused than ever. He suggests I stay on tamoxifen for the full 5 years but he said if I were closer to 40 he would say come off it sooner to try for a baby. I'm 33. The research is confusing about how long to stay on tamoxifen and he also said that if I were at 5 years and did not want a baby then he would keep me on tamoxifen for a further 2 years.
Sorry for long post, but I would really like to hear from women who have been in my position or similar position and how they made their decision to either have a baby or not. Any advice or views also very welcome.
Boo
x
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