Pregnancy after cancer is a topic that is questioned frequently, especially as the survival rates and cancer treatments have greatly improved. More women are now wondering whether pregnancy after cancer is safe.
Safeness of Pregnancy after Cancer
Normally, a pregnancy after cancer is safe for both the mother and the baby if the cancer was treated successfully. Most physicians, however, will want to evaluate both the lungs and heart to assure that they are healthy and that a pregnancy can take place without any risks. These body organs can be affected by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.
There is no evidence indicating that a pregnancy can increase the chances for a cancer to recur. Because certain cancers may come back, most physicians will recommend to wait a few years after finishing cancer treatment before attempting to conceive. The recommended waiting time is normally two years, as recurrence of cancer is usually during the first couple of years if it is to come back. This period of waiting time also gives the body additional time to heal and to rid the body of unwanted toxins that are often associated with the medications from cancer treatment. It would also be difficult to deal with a pregnancy and cancer treatments at the same time.
Recent medical studies indicate that a pregnancy after successful cancer treatment not only is a safe option, but also improves the odds of survival after breast cancer. Medical studies indicate a possibility of a 42 percent reduction of cancer in comparison to the patients who did not become pregnant after the cancer treatments. The chance of survival also depends on the age of the patient, as well as the status of the lymph nodes.
Pregnancy Health Risks for Women after Cancer Treatments
Chemotherapy and radiation do have associated long-term health risks such as the possibility of lung and heart damage. These types of associated risks from the treatments could make it more difficult to manage a pregnancy or may increase the possibility of damaging the already frail health if there are serious underlying problems. An echocardiogram (moving picture of the heart) can indicate if the heart is a healthy one.
If there are risks of complications with becoming pregnant after cancer treatments, the patient is normally referred to a high-risk obstetrician. Other options may include a surrogacy (arrangement made for a woman to become pregnant and deliver a baby for a contracted party) or adoption.
Risks of Birth Defects
Although there is the risk of injury to the ovaries with chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer treatment, medical evidence indicates a slim possibility of toxicity for future offspring and future births.
The risks of birth defects for a pregnancy occurring after successful cancer treatment are the same at 2 to 3 percent as a normal pregnancy. The above information may offer reassurance to women who worry about becoming pregnant after cancer treatments.
