Pregnancy after breast cancer

The decision to become pregnant after treatment for breast cancer often begins at the time of your treatment. It can be one of the most difficult decisions a woman may ever make. There are so many aspects of this decision, that it is one that must be carefully deliberated weighing all of the risks, benefits and emotional issues.

As a practice, we are very sensitive to these issues and have a very strong working relationship with reproductive specialists from Reproductive Medicine Associates of Philadelphia. We will work with you to keep all of your options open for future pregnancies as we treat you cancer aggressively.

The discussion should begin with you and your partner. Being on the same page before even beginning to discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare team will certainly make the process proceed smoothly. Often times, a life changing diagnosis of cancer can alter the priorities of one or both individuals in a relationship. It is of the utmost importance to maintain an open dialogue regarding this important topic.

According to The American Cancer Society

Pregnancy After Breast Cancer Study Suggests Pregnancy After Breast Cancer Does Not Increase Risk of Recurrence Article date: 1999/08/26 "A new 15-year study gives hope to young women with breast cancer who want to have children. The research suggests pregnancy after successful treatment of breast cancer does not increase risk of recurrence or death, particularly among women with disease confined to the breast. The study, which included 520 premenopausal women 40 years of age or younger at diagnosis, was published in a recent issue of the journal Cancer. "The results of our study support the growing consensus that subsequent pregnancy does not have an adverse effect on survival after breast carcinoma, particularly among women with local disease," said study co-author Priscilla Velenigas, PhD, of the department of biostatistics at the University of Washington in Seattle. This research is more accurate than previous research in the same area because it focused on cases in a geographic area, rather than a single hospital, said Phyllis Wingo, PhD, director of surveillance research for the American Cancer Society (ACS). "This is a very good study," Dr. Wingo said.  "One of its real strengths is the use of first-hand interviews of women themselves. Other studies on this subject have focused solely on information taken from doctors and hospital records.""

The decision to conceive should involve counseling by an oncologist, breast surgeon  psychologist, and other patients who have dealt with the issue. We have numerous patients in our practice who have successfully carried pregnancies during their treatment for breast cancer as well as countless numbers of women who have successfully conceived after breast cancer treatment. They are very willing to share their journey's with you, all you have to do is ask.

We also have had numerous patients successfully adopt a child after breast cancer who are willing to share their stories.

When there is a will there is a way and breast cancer teaches you to be a fighter and fight for what you believe in so never lose the faith.

 Patient's often wonders if there is the potential of bringing a baby into the world who will grow up with no mother. It takes a very multidisciplinary approach to deal with those issues.