First, a quick intro: My name is Ana and I have been an IBCLC for a little
over a year; I have also been an LLL Leader for almost 7 years. I have been
learning from the wise women on this forum for a few years but don't believe
I've ever posted...Usually, the archives provide answers to my questions,
but this time, I am not having much luck.

I have permission to post for a dear friend.

She is 41 y.o. and pregnant with her first child; due in Feb. Was just dx
with stage 0 DCIS and they are going in again on Tu to clean up the edges
from the initial surgery and set markers, I think, and maybe test lymph
nodes? The breast surgeon (she hasn't seen an oncologist yet) has
recommended that she start radiation therapy at 6 wks pp. Here are my
questions (for now!):

1. If radiation therapy is to be started at 6 wks pp, how many days/weeks
prior to that should she wean from the affected side? Should she nurse at
all from that side, knowing she'll have to wean shortly thereafter? Would it
be a better overall strategy to go to full breastfeeding from the healthy
breast from day one?

2. Any thoughts on delaying radiation in order to be able to nurse from both
breasts for as long as possible? What factors of her dx would determine
whether waiting longer before radiation therapy is an option?

3. From what I understand, a mother should not breastfeed if she is taking
tamoxifen. My friend has not been told she will be on tamoxifen, but again,
from my understanding, it is the standard to take this drug for five years
after radiation therapy, so she will likely be told to take it. Any opinions
on this? Should she delay tamoxifen until she is done nursing, no matter how
long that is? 

This is all I can think of for now. I will post as more info becomes
available and she gets more treatment recommendations from her docs.

I can't thank you all enough for whatever research, experience, thoughts,
etc., you are willing to share.

Blessings, and happy holidays,

Ana Estorino Uribasterra, IBCLC
LLLL, South Florida, USA

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