Star wrote: I have a client who has had a hx of chronic mastitis and
abscess formation.
Her baby is  15 months now. A ultrasound has picked up several lumps in one
breast and the docs want to do a mamogram. The Radiologist doesn't want to
do the mamogram because he thinks the baby shouldn't get the radiation
exposure via the radiated breastmilk. So,they won't do the mamogram until
she weans. I have never heard this before. Radiation exposure? Can any of
you help me with references that would document that this is not a problem
for the baby.
Because a young child's cells are dividing so quickly, I would heed the
radiologist's advice regarding radiation exposure.  Even if this particular
risk is not yet understood completely, why expose the baby to a possible
cancer risk?   I think that both nursing and the mammogram are possible, if
mom "pumps and dumps" the radiated breast for a period somewhere between
hours and days (the radiologist could advise regarding 1/2-life and transit
time here).  I believe the radiated milk clears so quickly, it would hardly
be missed if dumped.  If she continues nursing on the non-radiated side,
and quickly returns to nursing after the indicated period on the radiated
side, then nursing is not lost, and the baby is not unnecessarily exposed
to irradiated food.  I'm wondering why this course is not being considered.
This would be much better than the anxiety about the lumps leading to an
early weaning in order to hurry up and get the mammogram.
Colleen

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