Pause treatment to get pregnant?
Meet the Experts
Kutluk Oktay, M.D. is a professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and the director of the Division of Reproductive Medicine & Infertility at New York Medical College.
Leslie R. Schover, Ph.D. is a renowned psychologist with a special interest in helping people resolve or manage their sexual problems, especially those problems connected with a chronic illness such as cancer.
Question from FNichol: What advice would you give to a 39-year-old breast cancer survivor (stage II/III, node-negative, 100% ER/PR+) who has had a lumpectomy, radiation, and 2 years of tamoxifen who is considering taking a temporary break from hormonal therapy treatment to become pregnant with her first child?
- Answer —Leslie Schover, Ph.D.: Well, that's always a difficult situation because most oncologists would say that it's optimal to stay on the tamoxifen for 5 years. But we also know at your age, you're reaching a time when it may be difficult for you to become pregnant, so you may not have 3 years. I think that it would be good for you to sit down with your oncologist and try to get some idea of your personal risks and try to make that very individual decision.
On Wednesday, September 10, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Fertility and Pregnancy. Kutluk Oktay, M.D. and Leslie Schover, Ph.D. answered your questions about breast cancer treatments that can affect your fertility, options for preserving your fertility, being treated for breast cancer while pregnant, and more.
The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.
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