Young women with breast cancer should discuss fertility with doctors before treatment, says expert

Young women should think about future motherhood before breast cancer treatment begins, and those who wish to become mothers later should talk openly with their doctor about options to preserve fertility, according to Dr Bhavna Sharma. Once treatment starts, some options may become limited or may not be available at all.

Amid the diagnosis, worry over treatment and the challenge of recovery, young women often have other pressing questions, such as whether they will be able to become mothers after cancer treatment. Such questions are often hard to raise. Dr Sharma is the founder of TLC (The Longevity Centre) and a specialist in reproductive medicine and IVF.

According to Dr Sharma, facing such a situation can be extremely emotional and difficult for a woman who has dreamt of motherhood all her life. When the entire focus has to be on fighting cancer, dreams of motherhood and plans for a family can be pushed aside for a while. Cancer treatment often has to start immediately, so plans for pregnancy and children have to be put off. Dr Sharma says some women have no idea beforehand that chemotherapy or other treatment can affect their fertility. They realise the possible effect only when changes in their menstrual cycle appear during treatment.

Does that mean all possibilities end after breast cancer? Dr Sharma says that is not so. With advances in cancer treatment and reproductive medicine, women now have more options. Modern methods of preserving fertility, carefully planned pregnancy after treatment is completed, and expert guidance can help some women keep alive their hope of raising a family. There is therefore no need to give up the dream of motherhood entirely after a diagnosis.

Dr Sharma said, "After a young woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, it is extremely important that her fertility is discussed along with the treatment plan. This issue matters even more for women who want to experience motherhood later. After a diagnosis, many patients focus entirely on cancer treatment. But it is just as important to understand what effect this treatment may have on reproductive health. If a fertility specialist is consulted before treatment begins, women learn about the options available for future motherhood and can make an informed decision."

According to Dr Sharma, preserving fertility does not mean delaying cancer treatment. It is important to find out, in the time available before treatment begins, whether any fertility option is possible. For this, the cancer specialist and the fertility specialist must work together on the right medical plan.

On misconceptions, Dr Sharma said no woman should assume that the wish to become a mother cannot be fulfilled after breast cancer treatment. However, she said, it would not be right to decide on pregnancy based only on guesswork or general information. Proper planning and expert advice are essential. The right time for pregnancy, and whether any change is needed in ongoing medication, should be discussed in detail with the oncologist and fertility specialist concerned. Dr Sharma said the woman's health and safety, as well as her wish for motherhood and her family plans, should be kept in mind throughout the process.