Several elements in Barbara Wilson-Clay's post about the mother whose
lesion was finally identified as malignant.  She was given incorrect advice
about the necessity to wean before biopsy. She was not followed closely
when she should have been. NO MASS in the breast should EVER be ignored
(yes, I did shout!)

I have had occasion (several times) in the past year to refer women for
unexplained problems during breastfeeding that have been (possibly)
masquerading as usual bf problems, such as mastitis, engorgement, etc.
When the usual appropriate treatment does not work, GET THAT WOMAN TO
SOMEONE WHO CAN ASSESS for something other than a "breastfeeding problem."

At recent presetnations pertaining to breast cancer, the most often
repeated message is a) br ca can occur during pregnancy and lactation
           b) any recurring problem that does not resolve with appropriat care
              should be evaluated for some UNcommon cause.
           c) when mothers are referred and found NOT to have cancer, they
are grateful for having been checked, not resentful.

Remember: early identification increases the likelihood of survival.

Barbara: I have added your mother/client to my prayer list.  Thanks for
sharing her story. Until we start sharing them, people will continue to
ignore problems that should be red flags for us all.  Doubt me? Read Ellen
Petok's excellent article in the Sept. 1995 issue of JHL. Three of her 5
cases presented first as a plugged duct!




Def. of LC service: "We are all faced with a series of great opportunities
brilliantly disguised as impossible situations."
Kathleen G. Auerbach,PhD, IBCLC (Homewood, IL)- [log in to unmask]
WEB PAGE: http://www.mcs.com/~auerbach/lactation.html
LACTNET archives http://library.ummed.edu/lsv/archives/lactnet.html