Starting or Growing a Family after Breast Cancer
Starting or growing a family after breast cancer: Helpful resources
By Tina Koral
Back in 2003, when my doctor told me I had cancer, I didn’t cry. When he told me I would need a mastectomy because my tumors were so large, I didn’t cry. When he said I’d lose my hair courtesy of chemotherapy and radiation would burn my chest until I had blisters, I still didn’t cry. When he told me that I might not be able to have children due to the effects of chemo and my hormone receptor status, I broke down. The tears came, and they didn’t stop for what seemed like forever. I could hardly look at my husband, who just the month before, with a twinkle in his eye, suggested that we should start “trying.” I felt my dreams for a houseful of kids that had my blue eyes and his blond hair slip away.
After the initial shock, I did what I always do when faced with something new. I hit the books. Or I should say, the internet. I learned that certain types of chemotherapy, particularly cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) can increase the risk of temporary or permanent infertility. I also learned that for women with estrogen receptor positive cancer, like I had, the drug tamoxifen was recommended for five years, and pregnancy is not an option while on tamoxifen.
While this was discouraging, I found that I still had options. I spoke with my oncologist, and we decided to eliminate cyclophosphamide from my “chemo cocktail” in an effort to preserve my fertility. After my cancer treatment was completed, I did take tamoxifen, but discontinued it after about two years so that I could try to get pregnant. After about a year, I did get pregnant, and now have a healthy, beautiful daughter. But the decisions that I made are not appropriate for everyone, so it is very important to discuss your particular case and concerns with your doctor.
These are some of the resources I found helpful while making my decisions.
American Cancer Society: Fertility and Cancer – What Are My Options?
Explains how cancer treatment affects fertility, how to preserve fertility, and questions to ask your doctor.
National, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility.
Adoption after Cancer Listserv
This list is a forum to share information, advice, and stories to support those who choose to adopt after cancer.
LiveStrong Foundation: Female Infertility
Discusses the risks and symptoms of fertility as they relate to cancer survivors, as well as options and additional resources.
Resolve: The National Infertility Association
Non-profit organization with nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders. Free weekly teleseminars in 2009.
Features news, resources, and survivor success stories.
About the author: Tina Koral is a freelance writer and a five-year cancer survivor. Her memoir, If I Just Breathe (ISBN: 1440419922), is available for $14.95 on Amazon.com. More information is available at www.tinakoral.com
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