Tonight "World News With Charles Gibson" reports on Linda Sanchez's battle with cancer during her pregnancy. Please click here to read our story about Linda.

 

Do you have any questions about getting pregnant and getting cancer at the same time? Please reply to this post with any questions you have for Jennifer Litton, the breast oncologist at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center quoted on the show, and we'll post her answers to some of your questions at a later date. For more information on Dr. Litton, please click here.

 

Thanks,

ABCNews.com Producer

what are the chemo drugs used in pregnancy that do not cross the placen a barrier?

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1965 while pregnant with me and is a survivor and has never had a relapse since her mastectomy.  My question is, do I have a higher risk of developing cancer? 

 

 

What are your feelings on low doses of radiation therapy while pregnant?  I am 27 weeks pregnant with Hodgkins and have been delaying treatment until this point.  My doctors think the radiation to the neck would be a better option than chemo.  Just looking for more info!

Thanks

Do you happen to know if the same applies to one with cervical cancer stage 1b1 while in 2nd trimester of pregnancy?

Hello,

I am a nursing student and would like to write a paper on pregnancy  and breast cancer. Are there any books or websites that contain current information as seen on your program, that may be helpful? What are the drug used during the 2nd and 3rd trimester that does not cross the placenta? What are the side effects of these drugs on the mother?  and possible side effects on the fetus. How long is the treatment?  How are the drugs administered?  Is the Mother hospitalized throughout the entire pregnancy? Are there any studies/statistics  that have been done on the percentage of healthy babies delivered to mothers on chemo? 

 

11/5/2007

   Dear Dr. Litton:

I am a 50 year old woman with breast cancer with mets to my bones and liver.  I was diagnosed in 2000.  I am currently on herceptin once every three weeks.  My cancer, despite the mets, is stable.  I have had no advancement of my cancer since 2002, when I was told there was cancer in my liver.  I have been on herceptin for over 3 years, (since June 2004) with no bothersome side effects.

My question is : can I try to have a child?  I am willing to use donor eggs, donor sperm(because I don't have a man in my life right now), but I'm wondering if I can carry the pregnancy?  I have not ruled out using a gestational carrier, but, it's really my heart's desire to carry the pregnancy myself!!!  I have 2 grown daughters, ages 27 and 28.  These pregnancies were wonderful, and my daughters are beautiful, but I long to have just 1 more child!

I also am on the duragesic patch (125 MCG.) for bone pain.  I am back to doing all my pre-cancer activities, including working.  Can you please give me your professional opinion?

Sincerely,

Carmen

 

 

 

I am not pregnant, but am nursing my 3 month old baby. I just found out I have inflammatory breast cancer. Are there any chemotherapy drugs that are safe for a breastfeeding mother? Thanks.

I had breast cancer 25 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child.  Fortunately, I was able to deliver before I had a mastectomy and treatment.  I have been told recently that testosterone is the driver for cancer during pregnancy.  In my case interestingly enough my daughter was born not only with a full head of hair but also with patches of hair on her back.  As an adult she has PCOC.  Is there a correlation?

Thanks for submitting your questions. We have sent them to Dr. Litton and will post her answers soon.

 

Thanks,

ABCNEWS.com Producer

Hi,

 

Thanks again for submitting your questions on pregnancy and cancer for Dr. Litton. Please click on the below link to read her answers to your questions.

 

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=3832931&page=1

 

Thanks,

ABCNEWS.com Producer