The chemotherapy that is used to treat breast cancer can interfere with a woman’s fertility. These drugs also kill healthy cells, including those involved in the production of eggs. Patients can therefore develop ovarian failure or very early menopause. If you still plan on having children you should discuss this risk of infertility with your doctors. You should also know that there are methods to preserve fertility prior to treatment (eggs on ice!). Additionally, most doctors recommend that a breast cancer survivor wait two years before attempting to become pregnant. That is because most serious relapses will occur within the first two years after treatment. Pregnancy during this period would make treating the relapsed disease difficult and may endanger mother and child.
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