Jo:

Not to cause undue alarm, but three months ago I received a call from a mom
who had weaned her 10 month old about 6 weeks previously.

She wondered how long bm could remain in breasts because she had a lump and
thought it might be a plug or a galactocele.  My first question to her in
this case as a LLLL was "what did the doctor say?"  She told me she was going
to see him in two days. I tried to be assuring.  I told her that there
probably was nothing to be alarmed about, that it was probably a little plug
or milk retaining cyst, but I expressed relief that she was going to the
doctor to check it out.

As it turns out, he totally dismissed her concerns two days later and sent
her home basically without examining her!  A week later she had thick, pussy
mucous mixed with blood discharging from the nipple.  On my advice, she
immdiately called her doctor who seemed very eager to see her at that point!
  Only then was a mammogram and biopsy perfomed.  Unfortunately, advanced
breast cancer was discovered, with lymph involvement.  After the mastectomy,
inital test results have shown very possible liver involvement as well.  She
is only 29!!!!!  Two children under 3-1/2.

If a mom is very gradually weaning a 4 yo and notices a development such as
unusual discharge and a lump, she should not wait to get examined.  Although
breastfeeding is  wonderful protection against breast cancer, we all need to
be reminded that it still can happen.

Ruth Scuderi
LLLL
Westfield, MA