I would like to be part of that. I would also like to see the differences in women who have ever weaned suddenly compared to gradually. Never allowing the breasts to be engorged and tissue inflamed. I've been having women come to me that have weaned suddenly either from birth or even months later that are not only still making milk months after weaning, but have pain and hardness in an area of the breast (galactocycts?). I also wonder about engorgement causing incidents of fibrocystic breasts as well. I now get monthly breast pain. I also got engorged with my first due to the usually hospital staff interference with bfing. I also weaned my 2nd suddenly at 19 or 20 mos. Due to incorrect medical advice. I wonder if someone that hasn't had engorgement is as likely to have breast pain later. As far as the ducts staying expanded; I feel the opposite. While I was nursing the ducts under the areola always looked and felt expanded, even from the very beginning with my first. Now they seem so collapsed that nothing seems to be in there. It feels empty and hollow where I used to feel the ducts swell with milk for expressing. I am very interested in learning more about this. Zena Kay Gresham, CLC Mother of 4 breastfed children Lactation Specialist Nevada State WIC Program Las Vegas -----Original Message----- From: Lactation Information and Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kathy Baker Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 6:47 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: LACTNET Digest - 21 Jun 2006 - Special issue (#2006-731) 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 *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html