will pregnancy make the cancer more likely to come back?
Research suggests that pregnancy does not make childhood or teenage cancers more likely to come back.
I’m worried about becoming a parent and my cancer coming back
This is a very understandable worry. It can be very difficult if you have a young child and become seriously ill. You may decide to wait for a few years after your treatment has ended before trying to start a family. You can talk to your cancer doctor about when they think enough time has passed and the cancer is unlikely to come back. For many childhood and teenage cancers this is around five years after finishing treatment.
can I pass cancer on to my children?
There’s been a lot of research looking at this question. Most people who had cancer as a young person have no increase in their risk of their children getting cancer.
There are a very small number of people whose families have a faulty gene that increases their risk of certain types of cancer. Your doctors will tell you if it is possible that you have a faulty gene that could be passed on to your children. If you are worried that you may have a faulty gene, you can talk to your cancer doctor. The doctor will be able to arrange for you to see a geneticist (a doctor specialising in these issues) if needed.
will I be able to breast-feed my baby?
After cancer treatment most women should be able to successfully breastfeed if they want to. Breastfeeding does not make the cancer more likely to come back.
Unfortunately, women who have had radiotherapy to the chest area may not produce enough milk and will need to bottle-feed their baby.
Treatment for some brain tumours can reduce the level of hormones that stimulate the production of milk. So, some women who have had treatment for brain tumours may not produce enough milk to be able to breastfeed.
If you have any doubts about whether your cancer or its treatment may make it difficult for you to breastfeed, you can discuss this with your cancer doctor, obstetrician or midwife.
is there help for people disabled by cancer or treatment?
Yes. Social Services Departments can help parents with disabilities. They give support and equipment where these are needed. You might want to start by talking to the social worker in the hospital where you have your checkups. You can also go straight to your local social services department. The telephone number for your local social services office should be in the phone book listed under your local council’s name. There are also parent-to-parent support organisations for disabled parents.
