I had an experience this past week I'd like to share with you all.  I
received a call from a seasoned LLL Leader here in Austin (she and I were
accredited around the same time almost 17 yrs ago) who is a good friend.
She got a call over the LLL hotline from a mother whose husband had
discovered a lump in her breast about 3 mo. ago.  After several weeks, they
sought medical advice.  MD felt the lump was lactation related, and twice
reassured them that there was nothing to worry about.  A few days ago, their
concern promted them to call the LLL hotline, and luckily they spoke to this
very experienced Leader.  She had an intuition that a lump persisting this
long was not right, and called me to ask for a second opinion source for
this couple.  I affirmed her sense that the lump should be investigated, and
referred them to the breast surgeon I respect.  He, sadly, dx a ductal
carcinoma.

I guess my point is:  while breast cancer occurance in young women during
preg. and lactation is rare (perhaps 1-3 out of 1,000) it DOES occur. Lumps
in the breast which persist should be investigated.  Being distracted by the
coincidence of lactation delays diagnosis and treatment. I compliment the
Leader for her perception and for her ability to resist the natural tendency
to reassure in a situation where further investigation was indeed called for.
Barbara

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Private Practice, Austin, Texas
Owner, Lactnews On-Line Conference Page
http://moontower.com/bwc/lactnews.html