She would like to breastfeed, and her CNM is nervous about it. I
searched the archives, and my impression is that the only added risk to her
by breastfeeding would be that imaging studies would be more difficult to
interpret while lactating. I would assume she could even have radiation to
the affected breast while breastfeeding, could she not?

If her tumor cells are estrogen-receptor positive, then breastfeeding would
be good for her, because one's estrogen levels are lower while
breastfeeding.

I suspect she cannot continue to breastfeed on the breast that is getting
radiation therapy.  Radiation changes the internal structure of the breast,
making it lumpy and hard.  I can't imagine that the glands and ducts of
lactation would *not* be affected by radiation.  Also, as radiation
progresses, the skin will become burned and eventually may peel and 'weep'
lymph.  I can't imagine that the baby's nursing would be tolerable to a
breast with radiation burns on the surface of the skin.

I see no reason why she couldn't continue to nurse on the unradiated side,
however.

Kathy Dettwyler


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