>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.

Star, there are a number of posts in the archives on the topic of X rays
and breastfeeding. Xrays are meant to pass through the body. They don't
stay in the tissue and certainly not in breastmilk.

I don't have any references for you but HCPs on Lactnet have assured
mothers that any Xrays are OK with breastfeeding.

Jack Newman writes in one post:

>The xrays don't dissipate through "the system". They go right through the
>system and out the other side and don't affect the milk in any way and do
>not make the milk radioactive.

Tom Hale writes:

Date:         Mon, 28 Dec 1998 12:38:21 -0500
Reply-To:     Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:       Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
From:         "Dr. Tom Hale" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      X rays
Content-Type: text/plain

Dental xrays are just xrays, they are gamma rays that just pass directly
through the body and are dissipated in lead shields.

Xrays are only damaging to tissues directly in their path when focused, and
then only when used in incredibly high concentrations.

They in no way pass into milk. They are not deposited, stored, or change
milk in any way.

Even a woman receiving high doses of Xray for cancer, say of the cervix,
etc, could breastfeed immediately after receiving therapy.

Regards

Tom Hale

Pat Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin




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