Balancing Cancer Treatment and Family Planning at 39

I had my sons at 38 and 40 It took us 7 years. Believe it can happen. I er/pr her- Recently completed chemo and on an aromatase. There is information re: taking a break from treatment to have a baby. Good luck to you

My oncologist found out she had breast cancer as she was finishing her fellowship at a hospital. She had surgery and chemotherapy and was able to have a child a few years later. On a separate note, years ago, I went through infertility treatments. My first medication threw me into menopause. The specialist switched medications and after about 8 months of treatment, I became pregnant with triplets. I miscarried one early in the pregnancy and the other 2 went strong (I didn't know this could happen). My twin girls are now 28 years old. Where there's a will, there's a way. I was almost at the point of giving up when I got pregnant. A good fertility specialist will monitor you at least a couple times a month to see if follicles are growing, are being released, etc...My body wasn't doing anything it should have been doing and here I am, years later, with twin girls. Your cancer treatment is delaying your ability to have your family, not destroying your dream of being a Mom. Follow the recommendations of your oncologist, take care of yourself and hang in there. Wishing you the best!

Hi Caitlin. I’m 40 (single, no kids) and diagnosed with DCIS er/pr+. I have not had surgery yet and doing an egg preservation cycle right now. I want to keep my options open for as long as I can. Depending on biology of current tumor from the biopsy and pathology after surgery may give more insight into what a future may look like based on if I need, radiation, hormone therapy, etc. If you can do egg preservation/ivf (insurance may cover) than I think it’s worth it to keep your options open. Many women get pregnant in their early 40’s and lots of different ways to address it after breast cancer. Wishing you the best!

Hi Caitlin 👋 I haven't had the same issue with infertility, but seeing a specialist would be the best to weigh options. Maybe see before treatment starts if you could do an egg retrieval. If you express your concerns about wanting a family to your oncologist, they should have enough compassion to give you different options. I really hope for the absolute best for you and your partner.

You can always use a surrogate. It will be you and him using another incubator. If that’s something you are both ok with. Be open minded ♥️

Balancing cancer treatment with family planning dreams brings unique challenges, especially when time feels so precious. Many community members have navigated similar crossroads between following treatment protocols and holding onto hopes for growing their family. The emotions around timing, age considerations, and treatment delays are completely understandable and shared by others who've faced comparable decisions. Consider connecting with a fertility specialist who has experience working alongside oncology teams, as they can often provide valuable insights about preserving options during treatment planning.