It's bad enough to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age, but then to realize that you might have to give up future plans of having children is really a kick in the teeth.

More women, though, are telling their doctors up-front about their desire to still have kids, and that's smart.

Why? Because there might be options — something called "fertility preservation," for one. So before you offer up your arm for an IV drip of a toxic drug designed to ensure your longevity, ask to see a gynecologist who specializes in preserving the fertility of women who have cancer. Some chemotherapy regimens will still allow your ovaries to jump start themselves after treatment, but others may take a harsh toll on the reproductive system.

Is it even safe to have children after breast cancer and chemo or does that just stir up issues about breast cancer recurrence? For a long time, physicians thought it wasn't wise, but research has since proven them wrong.

Doctors usually do, however, advise women to wait at least 2 years after treatment before tossing their method of birth control and embarking on conception. This wait is advised because the risk of recurrence is highest during the first 2 years, and being pregnant while again dealing with breast cancer is not a happy combo.

So is there life after breast cancer? Yes. And can little lives be created then as well? You betcha.