Freezing embryos before chemo?

Oh Lord Irish girl, this is a hard one.

There is another US cancer site that I used some years ago called Young Survivor Coalation (YSC). It has a fertility thread on their discussion board. I recall similar posts some years ago so you might get some better insights. The same board also has a pregnancy post BC discussion and I can tell you lots of young women on there went on to have perfectly healthy children. Many like you got BC young and the majority conceived naturally however quite a few would have preserved eggs just in case.

I was lucky I was older when diagnosed and had had 2 kiddies. With treatment (which I am still on) the choice of having more was taken away. IF I was diagnosed at your age, I do think I would have opted to freeze embryos even with hormone positive BC. There is every probability that your fertility will return post treatment however having embryos as a backup would certainly put your mind at ease.

Best of luck with your decision, it is a hard decision at your age.

Another thought is to call the Irish Cancer Soc to see if they can put you in touch with someone who has had to make a similar choice through the "reach to recovery" programme.

Lindylu

Hi Irishgirl22

Sorry to hear you're going through this so young and need to make such a desision. What does your oncologist say? Does it think the 2 weeks / increased oestrogen could have a big impact or is it just a case that now you know about it you want to get it treated and gone ASAP? I was pregnant when my BC was diagnosed (so would have had increased level of oestrogen in my system) so never had this option but I had to delay my surgery / chemo until I hit the 3 month mark and it luckily wasn't an issue. I'd very rarely give a definite opinion as I think some things you need to reach on your own but if it was me I'd get it done and have the embryos frozen. I think the younger you are, the more likely it is for your fertility to return so you hopefully won't need them but you're very young to have to decide about the possibility of having none. From experience though I can tell you that I've had BC and chemo and have a beautiful perfect baby afterwards so that side of things is fine. I've never been on those websites posted by LindyLu but they sound like a good place to look.

Good luck with your decision and try talk to as many people as you can. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Xx

Thanks for the advice ladies. The oncologist sent the fertility clinic a letter to okay the medication they give that increases oestrogen levels so I know I should trust his knowledge. I think if my lymph nodes weren't affects I would go straight for it. Me and my boyfriend are together nearly 6 years and have talked about kids but he is anxious for me to get my treatment started. I
Too but the frozen embryos would be peace of mind throughout treatment. I have the weeknd to decide so a lot of thinking to do xx

Hello Irish Girl,
I have no specific wisdom to contribute to your dilemma, having been diagnosed later in life than you, but I thought I would simply wish you the very best with such a difficult decision at such a challenging time.
Be sure to use to the fullest the support of your oncology team, your breast nurses, the ICS and this board - which is full of wise and helpful ladies
Good luck!
C

Thanks Catherine I've been given a prescription for letrozole to take before and during injections which will help stop any spread from the high oestrogen levels. That's something.