LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX, BABIES AND BREAST CANCER

Emma Crowley was just 24 when she was diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer, after suddenly discovering a lump under her armpit the size of a golf ball.

Emma is one of the panellists on Breast Cancer Trials’ upcoming Q&A – Sex, Fertility and Pregnancy, which will bring together a panel of leading experts alongside women with lived experience of breast cancer to explore how breast cancer intersects with sexual health and intimacy, reproductive choices and identity, while highlighting the critical role of research in improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

The aggressive nature of Emma’s cancer meant she was quickly faced with a barrage of decisions about fertility and her future.

“My oncologist broached the subject with me, and asked if I wanted to undertake egg preservation,” Emma explains. “We discussed the pros and cons of delaying treatment (more cons given the aggression), and I weighed up the risk of never being able to conceive again – which of course isn’t an absolute.

“I had a four year old and I wanted to live for her, so I very clearly remember making a decision rapidly and saying: I’ve got one to live for, if I want more and can’t conceive there are plenty of kids out there that need homes.”

Also balancing study for a law degree, the young mum immediately underwent chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, which successfully eradicated the cancer.

“At 24, having cancer was such a surprise. All my friends were young and living life to the fullest,” Emma says.

Emma says the anxiety of recurrence subdued any desire to want to have more children for a long time, but she did end up having a second child, naturally, eight years later.

“The fear of recurrence was always a big one – I never wanted to be pregnant and find cancer, and have to choose between a baby and my life,” she says. “As a result, I decided to have an obstetrician, which was not funded and barely subsidised by any insurance. This helped with my peace of mind, and she was fantastic in being extra vigilant about everything.”

Sexual health physician Dr Tonia Mezzini says breast cancer can raise questions around sex, intimacy and fertility that many people hesitate to ask due to embarrassment, or feeling like they should simply be grateful to be alive. While there are written resources available, patients can often feel unheard.

“Research shows most patients are waiting for their clinicians to ask about their intimate life,” Dr Mezzini explains. “We need more capacity to train oncology nurses and GPs to help with these conversations about how cancer has affected their relationships.

“There’s a massive gap in cancer survivorship care in Australia. During their treatment, patients are in survival mode while they go through what can feel like a conveyor belt of treatment, from chemotherapy and surgery to radiotherapy, which is done with efficiency, to ultimately save their lives. At the end of their treatment, these patients are sent back to their GPs, who often have no background in oncology and can’t easily answer these deeply personal questions.

“A cancer diagnosis affects partners and families too. It’s not only about physical sex, it’s about intimacy and recalibrating those relationships. Patients also need more access to survivorship clinics, to have the space to tell their stories and be heard.”

Dr Mezzini will also join the Q&A panel discussion, moderated by Author and Journalist, Annabel Crabb, and broadcast live from the State Library of Queensland in Brisbane. The event will create a safe and informative space to unpack the questions many people have, but don’t always feel comfortable asking.

The session will cover:

• Overcoming sex and intimacy challenges
• How treatments may impact fertility and family planning and what preservation options exist
• Common concerns and misconceptions about pregnancy after breast cancer
• Emotional wellbeing and identity

Event details:

 Breast Cancer Trials’ Q&A – SEX, FERTILITY AND PREGNANCY

State Library of Queensland

Stanley Place

South Brisbane

Tuesday 28 July from 5:30-7:00 PM (AEST)

Participants who would like to attend in person can register via Eventbrite.

The Q&A will also be broadcast live on Breast Cancer Trials’ Q&A website page.

Contact: BCT Media & PR Lead, Sara McGregor – 0424 591 241 or sara.mcgregor@bctrials.org.au

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