Barbara Petholdz asks about the future of lactation in her LLL group mom
recently dx with cancer in the ducts of her breast.  I have had several
clients with ductal carcinoma.  One was dx after weaning her 1st baby 2 yrs
ago.  Her mother had died in her 40's from breast cancer, so she was
examined and received mammograms yearly.  In July mammo was clear, but by
self-exam she discovered a thickening in breast in Jan.  Surgeon biopsied
and dx ductal carcinoma in situ.  The non-affected breast was also removed
prophylactically due to her family hx, and she luckily did not have spread
to lymph nodes.  She is currently preg. due in Sept. and hopes to obtain
banked milk if available to start off this infant.  Her status obviously
does not allow potential for lactation.  The other 2 moms I have personal
exper with both lactated off non-affected breast with subsequent infants.
Radiation and (obviously) mastectomy impair lactation capacity, altho I have
heard of some irradiated breasts which can produce partial supplies. At
present, unfortunately, the toxicity of the chemo therapy, and the type of
surgery probab. do indicate immed. weaning.  This is terribly sad for the
mother and baby, but the mother needs to survive, and time is of the
essence.  There is info in our archives, and in the cancer journals on the
subject of lactation after breast cancer.
Barbara

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