breastfeeding after radiation therapy

[mama3070]

Has anyone themselves (or anyone you know) breastfed after radiation therapy to the breast? I had a lumpectomy and radiation therapy to one of my breasts 2.5 years. I'm all clear and looking forward to being a mama in about a month. Your advice, personal stories most appreciated.

[auntieM]

I have one friend who nursed successfully with only the unaffected breast.

Beyond that I've not found a lot of information. Some time ago, I remember looking for scientific data & came across one study with a cohort of 15 women. Some successfully breastfed from the treated breast. Most did not. I don't remember the exact numbers, but with only 15 women, I don't think a whole lot of conclusions can be drawn other than we need more data.

It sounds like we'll both have personal experience to share at about the same time. My 2nd daughter is due in about 3 weeks & I'm a little over 4 years out. Personally, I feel like my breast has responded a bit to the pregnancy. The texture has changed--it feels less irradiated. I have not seen any colostrum production from my treated breast & have from the other. I will try to nurse with both breasts & keep you posted on my experience. Please let me (us) know how it goes for you. Sadly, someone else will probably search for answers to this question in the future...

Congratulations & best wishes!

[mama3070]

Hi -excuse the delay. I hope things are going brilliantly for you! I found a few more studies at the Lactation Resource Centre, Australian Breastfeeding Association. Lactation After Conservative Breast Surgery Combined with Radiation Therapy, A.H.Tralins, M.D. 1995 Raven Press, Ltd New York. Breastfeeding After Breast Cancer in ChildBearing Women, B.Camune, E. Gabzdyl, 2007, J Perinat Neonat Nurs Vol. 21 No.3 pp.225-233.
Basically these include a study of 53 women who became preg after lumpectomy, auxillary dissection, and radiation treatments with avg dose of 180-200 cGy. Of the 53 women, 18 (34%) were able to lactate from the irradiated breast. Pretty cool! More importantly, in a very inspiring case study, published in the Mothering Magazine March-Apr 2005, Patricia G Bloome tells of breastfeeding her 5 children, (incl. set of twins) with one breast after burns as a child to the other breast. So, its very possible and highly likely that breastfeeding post radiation can happen. Yipee! I was due last Friday so not long now, I'll keep you posted.

[auntieM]

Thanks! I'm at 39 weeks now. Pretty soon we'll be posting our personal experience.

I feel confident that one breast will be sufficient. I am hopeful that I'll have two available. A friend of mine opted not to use the affected breast because she was concerned about small cuts & abrasions increasing her risk of lymphedema. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I don't remember wounds being such a big deal with my older daughter. We'll see....

Best wishes for your birth & breastfeeding experience!

[auntieM]

I'm a week & a day from DD's birth & am getting the barest bit of milk coming from my affected breast. I have been focusing feeding on the other breast to ensure supply, so I'm not sure if I've seen the limit of production by the affected breast or not. It is more important to me to make sure that I have a good supply & that she gets what she needs. Still not sure what I'll do with about the treated breast. I've been pumping a bit to keep my options open...

How are you mama3070?