Still having a baby after breast cancer

That has fortunately changed, since many studies have shown that the risk of relapse is no greater for treated women who get pregnant than for the others. In 2011, a meta-analysis of all those research findings together confirmed that the assumption that pregnancy hormones increase the risk of relapse is off the mark. As it turns out, however, the idea is not so easily dispelled: many doctors remain opposed to pregnancy after cancer treatment. Nevertheless, major breast cancer treatment centers have developed projects and techniques to protect their patients' fertility, such as cryopreservation of uterine tissue (see interview). But before they can fully go for motherhood, ex-cancer patients must wait two to five years, depending on the treatment they received. The risk of miscarriage after treatment is variable and depends on age and the type of chemotherapy applied.

Olivia (31) chose cryopreservation

"It is such a relief that after all these trials there is hope for new life! When I was told in June 2012 that I had breast cancer, I was just starting to think about children. So cryopreservation was a priority for me. I talked about it with my surgeon at the Bordet Clinic and she sent me on to Erasmus Hospital, where they started the stimulation process quickly, before the mastectomy and chemo, to preserve my eggs. An ordeal, because on the one hand there is the stress and anxiety caused by the disease, and on the other there is the protocol of the stimulation that defines your life. At one point I had to go to the hospital every day to have blood or ultrasounds taken. Even though the goal was a happy future, it was not natural to experience that all at once. But it was worth it, and that did put my mind at ease. If I had to choose again, I would go the same way.

I am undergoing additional treatment that will last three months, and by next summer I can start thinking about having a baby. I recommend this technique to all women who, like me, are facing breast cancer too young. It relieves to know that after all the trials, there is still hope for new life. A beautiful revenge!"

Lydia (33), mom of Rosie (22 months), is expecting twins

My biggest fear, when I got sick at twenty-eight, was that I would never have a child. When they told me the treatment risked making me infertile, my first concern was the cryopreservation of my eggs. Once that was in place, I was able to focus on my disease and healing.

The chemo did its job and towards the end of 2010 my oncologist gave the go-ahead for pregnancy. Two months later, I became pregnant naturally, without having to use the frozen eggs. What I would advise other women in my case? Never give up hope. Put your all into it, and if the doctor says your chances are slim, remember that our bodies possess unprecedented powers. Even after very tough treatments, my pregnancy went smoothly, and the second one is also going very smoothly. Everything is possible!"

I just got spontaneously pregnant after chemo! Our bodies possess unprecedented powers.

Latest fertility techniques revealed

If you enter menopause early, this is how we can still restore your natural cycle. What alternatives are currently available in terms of fertility preservation?

Isabelle Demeestere, gynecologist: "The fertility program at Erasmus has existed since 1999. Today, more than 50 percent of requests come from women dealing with breast cancer. Some patients we recommend cryopreservation of uterine tissue. This involves removing a piece of the ovary during keyhole surgery and freezing it into very small fragments. When the patient enters menopause early but still wants a child, we can re-implant the piece and restore the natural cycle. This technique has proven its efficiency - around 30 children have already been born all over the world thanks to this procedure. But it is still very new and is therefore considered experimental."

Is this technique suitable for every woman?

"No. Breast cancer, unlike leukemia, lymphoma or other tumors, affects many patients between the ages of 35 and 40. The technique cannot be used if you are over 35, at which point your ovaries are no longer strong enough for a successful transplant. These patients also do not benefit from the classic in vitro fertilization: boosting hormone levels while the tumor remains is not very advisable. But there is another alternative. For several months, we have had a method of removing eggs after an adapted stimulation of the ovaries. The eggs are frozen if there is no partner, or no fertilization. The advantage is that this stimulation can be done even while the patient is still ill, because the treatment inhibits the increase of hormones and this happens before chemotherapy starts. This technique can still be done up to the age of forty. Many patients undergo one or two stimulations before cancer treatment so that they can preserve their eggs to become pregnant afterwards.

This technique has several advantages. Namely, it is less strenuous than transplantation. However, freezing an egg cell requires at least 15 days for stimulation. Patients whose oncologist insists on immediate treatment, we still recommend tissue removal, so they still have the option of having their fertility restored afterwards."

What exactly does the Pink Ribbon Fund do for you?

"The Pink Ribbon Fund is very interesting because it fights cancer and at the same time wants to improve the patients' quality of life. It shows the need for information, towards the patients, but also towards the medical sector itself. The concept of fertility preservation is very recent. So the exchange of information is important. Pink Ribbon 's tender is focused on fertility and breast cancer, and on the treatment of the patients. This allowed my colleagues and I to set up the national info-site 'Family Hope' that is so close to our hearts - all thanks to the budget allocated to us by the Fund and the King Baudouin Foundation."

Source: Myriam Berghe Edited: Katrien Huysentruyt