Hi all,

 

Angela stated: 

 

Date:    Wed, 21 Jun 2006 12:15:21 -0400

From:    "Kirkwood, Angela" <[log in to unmask]>

Subject: mammograms after breastfeeding history

 

My question is:  What effect does long term breastfeeding have on the =

breast in regards to mammograms and breast biopsies as women enter the =

breast screening ages?  Since the percentages of long term breastfeeding =

mothers are low, can the effects of normal wear and tear of the breast =

and ductal tissue appear to be abnormal??  Such as calcifications and =

ductal hyperplasia??

 

I have long wanted there to be a study on "old, used breasts" for lack of a
fancier term.  Having been through the route of frequent mammograms for
ductal ectasia and a surgeon recommending excision of the ducts just "in
case" there might be something lurking in the cellular debris that was in
some of them.  I believe that as a result of nursing, many of the terminal
ends of a number of my ducts stayed expanded.  While nursing the last two
children, I noticed that with a let down I could visibly see the expanded
ducts through the surface of my areola.  I liked it to the 'blown out" cheek
muscles of Dizzy Gillespe, a trumpet player who when he blew on the trumpet
his cheeks would hyperextend out.  I didn't think much about it because I
just thought it was "blown milk sinuses" when they were nursing.  (I also
happen to have lumpy legs from varicose veins)  I evaluated my risk-(no
family history, early pregnancy, and long term breastfeeding -combined total
of 20+years), saw a third surgeon who was experienced with breasts and have
just been observing ever since. I saw one small post here years ago about
ductal ectasia in multiparous and long term breastfeeders but then nothing.
And thus began my interest in and thoughts of what a study would encompass
to study the changes in breasts that have gone through a multiple of
complete lactation cycles.  I think there are a greater number of long term
breastfeeding mothers out there than one would imagine. 

I would love to hear from any other long term breastfeeder who is interested
in documenting the "normal" aging breast.

 

 

Kathy Baker, IBCLC

 


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