I can tell you that it is NOT universal practice in the US to tell 
women they have to wean before having a mammogram.  I recently had 
both screening and diagnostic mammograms and the fact that I am 
currently lactating was a complete non-issue.  No one at the 
radiology facility said a thing about it and the radiologist did not 
seem to have any problems reading the images.  (My doctor's nurse did 
call me back to say that she wasn't sure I could have a mammo while 
lactating, and I brightly reassured her that I could.  She accepted 
my assertion and that was the last I heard of it.  I assume she did a 
little research after our chat.)  I live in a medium-sized town that 
is probably just average in terms of medical progressiveness.

In my case I am 3+ years into my current lactation and nearing 10 yrs 
lifetime, so my breasts are very efficient and don't really make milk 
between nursings.  I hadn't nursed in probably 10-12 hours when I had 
my mammograms done, but despite that I would bet the images were 
nearly indistinguishable from those of a non-lactating woman.  (I 
should ask . . .)  HCPs need to know that the breasts behave very 
differently in the later years of lactation compared to the early 
months/first year.  Doing a mammo on the mother of a 4-month-old 
probably calls for some attention to timing and careful 
interpretation, whereas a mammo on the mother of a 2.5-year-old 
probably requires no special handling at all.

That said, there is no real reason a woman in the earlier stages of 
lactation can't have a mammogram.  The breasts should be as empty as 
possible immediately before the procedure -- but let's give women a 
little credit: most of them would think of that on their own as they 
nervously anticipate having their breasts squished flat!

Margaret
Longmont, CO

>Hi All,
>I'm looking for studies, citations, published info about the 
>importance of gettting  mamograms for breastfeeding women at risk 
>and breastfeeding women in their 40's to present to the 
>radiologists. As of now the radiologist are telling breastfeeding 
>women to wean and then wait 6 months before getting a basic 
>mamogram. Of course we all know this is unacceptable and I'm ready 
>to help them make a policy change. Any help would be great .
>Thank you all,
>Star Siegfried RN,BA,IBCLC
>Arcata, CA

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