Think I have breast cancer - fertility?

[LosingHope5]

Found a large lump, not moveable, not painful. I am 35. I have been referred to breast clinic for further investigation.

But my main concern is not beating the cancer, but of my fertility. I am desperate for a baby of my own and if I am diagnosed with cancer, I don't think I could have any treatment which could prevent me from conceiving. I think I'd have to refuse. A life without children is no life for me. It's all I ever wanted.

Has anyone been in this situation and have any positive stories?

Sorry to hear you have to go through this. The surgeon who told me I had breast cancer straight away started talking about freezing embryos. I was your age and had a 9 year old so my main focus was staying alive for my DC. You could try the Breast Cancer Now helpline for someone to talk to before your appointment - 9 of 10 breast lumps are benign, but I know every scenario goes through your mind during the wait.

I’m sure someone more knowledgeable will come along shortly but this is one of those times where, for your own sanity, you shouldn’t get too far ahead of yourself.

Easier said than done, I know. Particularly if you’re like me and want everything sorted out in my head before seeing a doctor.

Posted too soon, but if it comes to it, this is something your care team will discuss with you. You may have more options than you think in this moment.

I believe fertility-preservation measures are offered in the NHS before chemo etc. Two friends were offered it, I know, and I've read it of others too. Ask, if you're diagnosed.

This is the page for Manchester NHS trust.

mft.nhs.uk/saint-marys/services/gynaecology/reproductive-medicine/fertility-preservation-for-patients-diagnosed-with-cancer/

Google your local trust and what MacMillan etc have to say, if it's a big worry for you.

Hopefully your lump is benign and it won't be an issue. 🍀

Honestly dont panic. If it is cancer they will freeze your eggs

There are lots of options

If it is cancer and chemo recommended there will be the option to freeze your eggs but the majority with cancer do not need chemo. And most lumps are benign.

You are getting far too ahead of yourself…..no one has cancer until they are told they have cancer…..just do one step at a time
wishing you well

Not all breast cancers need chemo. Mine didn't. Fingers crossed for you that it is a benign lump.

My friend had skin cancer and had chemo. She had IVF and it was successful first time x

I would only be able to freeze eggs though not embryos as I am single. :( Before this I was actively dating to try and meet someone in order to have children before fertility declines.

Hello, I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at 29 years old and with no kids yet.

I was offered fertility preservation on the nhs. Because I had a partner (my fiance at the time) we were offered to freeze embryos rather than eggs. We both had to sign various forms for this.

Doing the fertility preservation delayed the start of my chemo for about 3 weeks. I had a mirena coil in at diagnosis so had to have that out, then do all the drugs to get the eggs to grow etc, then we extracted eggs and my now DH did his part. We ended up with 2 frozen embryos, stored for free for 5 years.

When I underwent chemo they gave me a a zoladex injection to protect my reproductive system as much as possible. This was a bit like inducing the menopause - no periods, hot flushes, achey joints.

My period returned 6 months after stopping treatment. Because triple negative is an aggressive type of cancer which cannot be controlled through ongoing hormone treatment, my oncologist suggested I wait until 2 years post treatment to try to conceive.

I now have a 2yo and pregnant with my second, turning 35 next month. Both conceived naturally, never needed to use our embryos and have donated them to science.

I hope you first of all don't have cancer, but if you do, I hope you get the treatment you need and are able to go on and live life to full again afterwards. Let me know if you want any more info about what I went through.