Fertility preservation
Your choice – know your options
How chemotherapy reduces fertility?
Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be so overwhelming, that it can be all-too easy for a woman to lose sight of life beyond their upcoming battle. But the truth is, women who undergo chemotherapy can experience changes in their fertility that may impact their chances of getting pregnant after their cancer has been treated. For instance, some women may experience chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea (the absence of a menstrual period), premature menopause, or even infertility.
Tamoxifen and Pregnancy.
Tamoxifen is a popular chemotherapy drug used to treat all stages of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, but it shouldn’t be the drug of choice for all women. In particular, women who are pregnant, think they are pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant should avoid using Tamoxifen due to its ability to cross the placental barrier and its increased risk of causing fetotoxicity.
Fertility options.
While some women may be able to get pregnant naturally after their cancer treatment ends, others may find they are unable to have children after treatment. But regardless of the case, being diagnosed with breast cancer means that you will have to think about your fertility earlier than you might have originally planned if you wanted to have a child at some point in the future.
Fertility Stimulation and Preservation.
Whether you choose to have your embryos or eggs frozen, fertility stimulation is your first step in preserving your ability to get pregnant after chemotherapy. Your doctor will prescribe certain hormones to help stimulate egg production. A common option is an aromatase inhibitor called Letrozole. Letrozole is effective at increasing egg production, thus giving women more eggs to have removed and fertilized and/or frozen. It is now the drug of choice over Clomid because it produces fewer side effects and recent research suggests it may result in higher ovulation and pregnancy rates.
Costs of Fertility.
Understandably, cost is one of the biggest concerns about preserving one’s fertility, but it is even more of a concern when you are already preparing for chemotherapy treatment and adapting to the lifestyle changes breast cancer forces on you. The cost varies by city and state, so we have done our best to provide you with an average cost estimate, so you can plan accordingly.
My Personal Experience
I personally went through three rounds of IVF in my early thirties, so I have a deep understanding of the emotional rollercoaster that often comes with the fertility journey. I have such compassion and empathy for any woman facing the challenges involved with trying to have a family. I believe it is so important for a woman who is facing a breast cancer diagnosis to be empowered, and this begins by having a better understanding of all her fertility options, being prepared, and knowing more about the impact this can have on planning a family.
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Cynthia, Founder, Stage 2b
About the Expert
Meet Allison Dipasquale, MD
“I am beyond honored to join the rockstar team of medical advisors at LLL. In a world of readily available information on the internet this company is the absolute best that I have seen to get the correct, physician vetted information directly into your hands. Wherever you are on your journey, LLL can be the ultimate source of information to help you gain knowledge and support as well as meet others just like you.”
“No matter what your ovarian function or reproductive abilities, please believe me when I tell you that you are not broken, and you never were. You and your body have been through so much, and you are still overcoming the challenges before you. You are beautiful in every way and your fertility will never be a measure of the space you keep and the woman you are. A woman’s worth cannot be measured by her reproductive abilities.”
-Mindy, Stage 2- Emotional Contributor
IG : @msmindymiller
Learn Look Locate is dedicated to supporting breast cancer patients in all aspects of their lives, including fertility and family planning. Through our partnership with BreastCancerTrials.org, we offer access to clinical trials focused on fertility preservation and having children after breast cancer treatment.
MEET OUR EXPERT MEDICAL TEAM
Explore the expertise of our medical advisors, who are dedicated to advancing breast cancer awareness, treatment, and support. Connect with our team and discover how their guidance contributes to the resources and insights available within our breast cancer support groups.
Area of Expertise
Barry Rosen MD FACS
Senior Medical Advisor for LLL, renowned Breast Surgical Oncologist based in Illinois.
Yara. V. Robertson MD FACS
Expert Breast Surgical Oncologist, known for her comprehensive patient care in Arkansas.
Allison DiPasquale MD
Dedicated Breast Surgical Oncologist at Texas Oncology, specializing in personalized treatments.
Barry Rosen MD, FACS on The 2 Toughest Questions About Breast Cancer
Eleonora Teplinsky, MD
Head of Breast and Gynecologic Medical Oncology at Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care
William Audeh, MD
Expert across various crucial areas of oncology, with a particular focus on precision medicine and genomic testing in breast cancer.
Don Dizon MD
Pioneering Medical Oncologist focusing on patient-centric care and esteemed Professor of Medicine.
Charles. H. Weaver MD
Experienced Medical Oncologist and Founder of OMNI Health Media, specializing in patient education.
Rahul Singh MD
Medical Oncologist & Hematologist, based in Washington DC, specializing in comprehensive cancer care.
Maryam Lustberg MD MPH
Director of the Center for Breast Cancer at Smilow Cancer Center and Yale Cancer Center.
The Truth about Tamoxifen and Aromatase Inhibitors - Update with Dr. Rahul Singh
Ramji. R. Rajendran MD PhD
Specialist in Radiation Oncology at Alexian Brothers Cancer Institute, Illinois.
Demystifying Radiation Therapy in Breast Cancer: An In-Depth Talk with Dr. Ramji Rajendran
Hannah Gilmore MD
Division Chief and Director of Breast Pathology at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, OH.
Expert Tips: Decoding Breast Cancer Pathology Reports
Stacy Smith-Foley MD
Breast Imaging Expert and Medical Director of The Breast Center at CARTI.
Amy Patel MD
Leading Breast Radiologist and Medical Director of the Breast Care Center at Liberty Hospital, Missouri.
Amy Patel MD Reading Mammograms Advocate for Monthly Self-breast Exams Educating Referral Partners
Ron Israeli MD
Nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery, NY.
Anne Peled MD
Breast cancer and plastic surgeon in San Francisco, blending oncological and reconstructive expertise.
David Light MD FACS
Renowned for Breast Reconstruction & Aesthetic Surgery in New York, blending skill with patient care.
Anne Peled MD Renewing Possibilities: Nerve Reconstruction Surgery for Mastectomy Survivors
Alex Cosimano PharmD CSP
Registered Manager at Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy, specializing in cancer care at UHealth Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Learn Look Locate and Walgreens Partner on Breast Cancer Awareness
Area of Expertise
James B. Saviers II MS OTR/LCLT-LANA
Specialized Lymphedema Occupational Therapist, providing expert care and management in Alaska.
Shattering Stigma: The Reality of Male Breast Cancer
Marnie Rustemeyer CPCP AAM
Restorative and cosmetic tattoo artist at NYBRA Plastic Surgery, specializing in post-mastectomy tattooing.
The Surprising Role of Tattooing in Breast Cancer Reconstructive Surgery
Christina G. Hibbert Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist and Author from Arizona, blending professional expertise with personal survivor experience.
Understanding and Healing from Breast Cancer-Related PTSD: Insights by Dr. Christina Hibbert
Lauren Giannetti Sferrazza MS CGC
Medical Science Liaison in Oncology at Myriad Genetics, Inc, offering genetic counseling and insights.
Preventative Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer - Lauren Sferrazza, MS, BCGC, MSL, Myriad Genetics
Stacey Stevens, BA, MBA
Expert Advisor in Breast Cancer Detection, committed to advancing early diagnosis and patient education.
Cynthia Jordan Interviews Michaela Raes on the Breast Cancer Confidence Project
