Hi every-one, I have just came across this discussion and it has caught my attention. I was diagnosed in February this year with Triple Negative Grade 3 invasive carcinoma. I have had 3 chemo treatments so far with one more to go (AC) and then a month of radiotherapy. I am 56 years old with no children. I was diagnosed at age 21 with endometriosis which saw me on a slippery slope culminating in a complete pelvic clearance (ovaries and uterus) at aged 33. I have been on HRT ever since. I wanted to have children but with a partner (long since ex-partner) that was not really into IVF and ongoing gynaecological issues from the endometriosis, I never had the opportunity to try an IVF cycle. Back then of course there was no recognition from Medicare either. As I work in the medical field and strangely enough, often in Obstetrics/Gynaecology/Infertility, I have often been confronted with my childless state. I found ways to cope at work and always being interested in the science, it has been great to see the fertility treatments evolve and great success rates now being achieved. There are so many options available these days. One thing, that always did bother me though (and still does) is people's assumption that I have children. They seem to just assume that at my age I am a mother and or grandmother. Whilst I realise that is probably quite reasonable, I still find it rather annoying that people make such assumptions and in doing so can inadvertently say something slightly hurtful such as "how did you cope with a crying baby" or "what we do for our kids, eh"!! My husband and I met 10 years ago and he does not have children either, that was a deliberate choice between him and his ex-wife at the time. I too am now facing the reality of having breast cancer and no children to offer support and to give hugs. We are struggling with a lack of support from family and friends (every-one seems to think we can cope on our own) and this is becoming a real issue whilst I am on treatment. My husband has to work obviously and if I am unwell and can't drive myself somewhere, it's just too bad. I too am extremely interested in a group for women with no children. Whilst we are a bit of a rare breed we are not as rare as we used to be. Thank you @"Janet A" for starting this topic, being childless has been a lonely road for me too. You have my full support and I am in 100% with any research or surveys that I can help with. Like @arpie, I fully support a 'childless group with BC'. Over the years I have paid attention to other women with endometriosis and/or fertility issues. One thing I did notice was that endometriosis sufferers were often the youngest female sibling with an older sister who had no fertility issues. Just something I noticed and was interested in. By the way, I don't normally prattle on this much and thank you for listening if you have made it this far. :)
