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I'm 32 and Diagnosed with Breast Cancer: Can I Still Have Kids After Treatment?

Dr Nandita Palshetkar | Answer |Ask -Follow

Gynaecologist, IVF expert - Answered on Jan 03, 2025

Dr Nandita Palshetkar is the medical director of Bloom IVF.
She is a pioneer in ICSI, laser hatching, spindle view, oocyte and embryo freezing, IMSI, in vivo vaginal culture, metabolomics, embryoscope and spindle check technologies.
With over 30 years of experience, Dr Nandita is managing 10 centres across India.
She has written over 100 papers, edited 25 books and given over 1,000 lectures and speeches.
She has also won several prestigious awards, including the Dronacharya Award (2021), the Bharat Gaurav Award at the House of Commons in London (2014) and the Inspiring Gynaecologists of India (2018) to name a few.
Dr Nandita completed her MBBS from Grant Medical College and Sir J J Hospital, Mumbai, and her MD in obstetrics and gynaecology from Mumbai University."... more

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 31, 2024Hindi

Hi Doctor, I’m 32 years old and recently got diagnosed with breast cancer. I’ve been advised to start treatment soon, but I’ve always wanted to have kids, and I’m unsure if I’ll be able to have children after this treatment. My doctor mentioned the option of egg freezing, and I’m a little confused about the whole process. On top of that, my partner and I are also thinking about waiting a few more years before starting a family due to career and personal goals. I’m really torn about what to do. Could you help me understand the whole egg freezing process? What are the risks involved, how long does it take, and how much does it cost? Should I freeze my eggs now, or is it okay to wait until later?

Ans: Hello, sorry to hear about your breast cancer, but the best part is breast cancer is curable
Since you are 32 years of age, and you might undergo chemo, radiotherapy which might affect your fertility. So best option is to undergo egg freezing.
Before we start the procedure, we need to know your AMH level (to know your ovarian reserve) and basic blood work up to get your fitness fir the procedure
The procedure normally needs first 15 days of your cycle where you will need to undergo 3 to 4 scans to monitor the egg growth (follicle growth) and injections from day 2 of your periods till the eggs grow and mature
These injections are safe in form of LH OR FSH hormone. It can sometimes cause
Nausea vomit, constipation, mood swings, low abdominal heaviness, breast tenderness.
These are experienced by some.
Once you are ready then you will be admitted as day care procedure and egg retrieval done under short anesthesia. You will be able to go home in 6 to 7 hours.
During this period of stimulation, you can do regular routine work.
Zumba, jumping and heavy activities avoided during stim.
So, freezing your eggs now is a better. Option
If you delay further the quality and quantity of eggs gets hampered.

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