Pregnancy and breast cancer survival
Because of the high hormone levels related to pregnancy, there has been concern that pregnancy after breast cancer could affect survival. However, the studies done to date show having a child after treatment does not lower a woman’s chances for long-term survival [82-84]. One large study even found that women who had a child after breast cancer treatment had better overall survival than women who did not have a child after treatment [83].
Women who become pregnant after completing treatment for breast cancer may be healthier than those who do not. For this reason, findings from studies on this topic may be limited to these healthier women.
Pregnancy after treatment
If you wish to have a child after breast cancer treatment ends, it is best to talk to your health care provider before you begin treatment. Your provider (or a fertility specialist) can discuss your options with you and the best timing of a pregnancy based on your treatment.
Even though pregnancy after treatment does not appear to lower survival, there are many issues for survivors to consider when thinking about having a child. Some of these issues are described below.
Ultimately, having a child is a personal decision. Your family and friends, health care provider, counselor, clergy or support group can help you think through the issues so you can decide what is right for you.
Other concerns
Some survivors with a strong family history of breast cancer may have concerns about passing on a potential high risk of cancer. Others may feel good about passing on a range of family traits, even if this may include a higher risk of breast cancer.
Some women with metastatic breast cancer may worry about having a child for fear they may not live long enough to raise the child. Others believe that even if they do die, they can still give their child the love and care he/she needs while they are with her.
Breastfeeding
Some treatments for breast cancer can impact your ability to breastfeed. If you have had a mastectomy or lumpectomy (also called breast conserving surgery) plus radiation, breastfeeding from the untreated breast should be fairly normal.
Breastfeeding from the treated breast following lumpectomy plus radiation may be difficult. Both the surgery and radiation therapy can harm tissue needed for breastfeeding. While feeding from the treated breast is possible (and the milk is safe for the baby), it is not common and the amount of milk produced is often greatly reduced [85-87].
Loss of fertility
A main concern for young cancer survivors is loss of fertility. A potential side effect of chemotherapy is early menopause. The older a woman is, the more likely that chemotherapy will bring on menopause. Early menopause ends a woman's chance for a natural pregnancy. This can be very difficult for women who had hoped to have a child after completing treatment.
Having a child after breast cancer treatment
If you wish to have a child after treatment, talk to your health care provider about steps you can take before and during treatment to increase your chances. These include storing embryos before treatment begins and using a drug during therapy that may help protect the ovaries from damage.
When early menopause is permanent, other options include adoption and egg donation.
Learn more about fertility options.
Financial assistance for fertility services
Organizations such as Fertile Hope can give financial aid when insurance providers do not cover fertility services.
Updated 01/20/12
