Judie wrote "Thank you Laurie for the good information on recurrent breast infections. It was helpful except for the little part about Cancer. It is scary to think what would have happened to me if I had let specialist start digging around on that spot." I appreciate your point, and I hope it doesn't deter an LC from referring a mom if indicated, and that it doesn't deter a mom from seeking a referral if indicated. In your case it very well may be scar tissue. My intent was simply to point out that recurrent mastitis "may" be a red flag for carcinoma and is just one thing to consider (not the first thing that would come to my mind w/ a client who called w/ mastitis symptoms). Also, just to point out that a skilled physician who will protect the lactation could do a biopsy if needed without undue digging around. I forgot to mention another great ref specific to this particular connection. I don't have the exact citation but it is referred to in this long ago lactnet post <<"Remember the quote I shared from Kathy Auerbach's lecture? "Mastitis doesn't cause cancer, but cancer can cause mastitis." Ellen Petok's JHL article in 1995 reminds us that a mass which doesn't clear within 72 hrs of standard tx should be evaluated by a physician. Odds are it isn't cancer. Still, who wants to take responsibility for making that call?>> Laurie Wheeler, RN, MN, IBCLC Violet Louisiana, s.e. USA _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html