By. Halle Moore, MD
Date. 12/13/2023
Halle Moore, MD, the Medical Doctor and Director of Breast Medical Oncology and Co-Director for the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program at Cleveland Clinic, shares insights into a study focusing on fertility preservation and assisted reproductive technologies in breast cancer patients who interrupt endocrine therapy to attempt pregnancy.
Dr. Moore discusses the eligibility criteria for women in the study, emphasizing factors such as age, stage of breast cancer, and duration of adjuvant endocrine therapy. The study, aimed at assessing the short-term safety of interrupting endocrine therapy for pregnancy, explores outcomes related to assisted reproductive technology and recovery of menstrual function.
The analysis indicates that most patients either maintained persistent menses during therapy or resumed menses after interrupting endocrine therapy. Additionally, the use of assisted reproductive technology did not show an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence. Factors influencing pregnancy included age and the prior storage of eggs or embryos.
Dr. Moore emphasizes the importance of the study’s short-term safety implications for clinicians, allowing informed discussions with patients considering pregnancy post-breast cancer diagnosis. She encourages the use of assisted reproductive techniques to minimize the interval of hormonal treatment.
Regarding the future of the data, Dr. Moore acknowledges the challenges of repeating such a study but emphasizes the critical need for continued follow-up to assess long-term safety over 10 years.
Overall, the interview provides valuable insights into the intersection of breast cancer treatment, fertility preservation, and assisted reproductive technologies, offering clinicians important information to guide discussions with patients navigating these complex decisions.