Many young adults with breast cancer wonder how cancer and its treatment will affect their fertility (ability to become pregnant).
Considering pregnancy after a breast cancer diagnosis can be very difficult for patients and their loved ones. If you decide to try to get pregnant, it may be harder after breast cancer treatment than it otherwise would have been. If you think you might want to get pregnant after your treatment is done, you should learn more and talk with your doctor, a fertility expert, a social worker, or another counselor.
Safety
Is it safe for me to become pregnant after breast cancer? Yes, we believe it is safe. Studies show that your chances of breast cancer recurrence or of dying from breast cancer do not increase if you become pregnant after your treatment. However, studies are limited and some experts remain concerned. People with a history of breast cancer continue to be at risk of recurrence both during and after a pregnancy. (Recurrence means breast cancer returning to the breast area or other parts of the body.) Is it safe for my future child if I become pregnant after breast cancer? Yes. Your history of breast cancer treatment should not increase the risk of birth defects in your future child(ren). This is true as long as treatment medications have been out of your system for enough time (3 months for tamoxifen; 7 months for Herceptin). We strongly recommend that you avoid getting pregnant while undergoing chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy (like tamoxifen). Both can cause birth defects to a fetus (unborn child), especially during the first trimester. To avoid pregnancy, be sure to use contraception methods that are considered safe for young adults with breast cancer (such as non-hormonal methods like condoms or a copper IUD), if necessary for your kind of cancer. Learn more about contraception. |
Highlighted Webcast:Can I Have a Baby After Breast Cancer? If So, When? Ann Partridge, MD, MPH discusses pregnancy after breast cancer with a panel of other specialists and patients in the Young and Strong Program. |
The PDF below links to a table that shows a number of methods for protecting fertility, both during and beyond breast cancer treatment. The document was adapted with permission from FertileHOPE.
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Grief and acceptance
Fertility after breast cancer can be a very difficult issue. Perhaps you were planning to have a child soon. Maybe you've been told to wait or that pregnancy may not be possible in the future. Dealing with this potential loss can lead to intense emotions, like sadness and anger. It may take time to adjust and accept your situation, but be patient with yourself. Getting good, clear information and a realistic sense of what may or may not be possible often helps. Speak to your provider about your concerns. Find a counselor, a therapist, or others who have been through this process. For guidance around grieving and related resources, talk to a social worker at Dana-Farber. |
LIVESTRONG
Fertility Information (English and Spanish) and a fertility discount program (for U.S. citizens and permanent residents) for cancer patients and survivors whose treatments may reduce fertility or cause infertility. |
My Oncofertility
A patient education website created and sponsored by fertility researchers and scientists at Michigan State University. |