Breastfeeding after breast cancer is safe and recommended

After overcoming breast cancer and being a mother, one of the most common concerns is if the baby can be breastfed since some treatments could affect the breast and therefore hinder the possibility of breastfeeding.

But there is no contraindication or evidence to show that breastfeeding can pose any risk, either to the mother or the baby. If you decide to breastfeed your baby, scientific evidence indicates that It is a safe and recommended practice After finishing the therapy.

As explained by Gloria Ortega, specialist of the Breast Unit of MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid,

"Only in cases in which a bilateral mastectomy (removal of both breasts) is performed when the breast tissue is completely removed, the possibility of breastfeeding is eliminated. For those in which it performs conservative surgery, where only part of the breast is removed breast tissue, the ability to respond to stimuli and therefore to produce milk can be maintained, if the areola-nipple complex and the retroareolar breast ducts have not been removed, it would also be possible, from a mechanical point of view, to breastfeed the baby ".

In Babies and more Breastfeeding protects against breast cancer

In a study published in 2010, 20 women who had become pregnant after breast cancer treatment were interviewed and there was no difference in terms of cancer recurrence. The authors of this research concluded:

"Counseling breast cancer survivors who become pregnant or breastfeed their babies remains unjustified and there is no scientific evidence to support it."

When a masectomy has been performed, breastfeeding can be attempted with only one breast. Since milk is produced on demand, depending on what the baby sucks, you can get food from a single breast without problem. There is also no toxicity. associated with chemotherapy or hormonal therapy received or changes in the characteristics of milk. However, it is not recommended to breastfeed while receiving treatment. not even in the first weeks after chemotherapy.

In Babies and more Breastfeeding with only one breast?

From the point of view of the mother's recovery, breastfeeding after childbirth is very positive, as well as from the psychological point of view, since after having gone through a severe illness she feels that she is able to offer food to her son. In addition to favoring the emotional bond with your baby being advisable to start as soon as possible after birth.

An inspiring story

The photo we see above captured by photographer Kate Murray, is that of Sera McCorkle breastfeeding her baby for the first time after a few months after becoming pregnant she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Via | Infosalus
In Babies and more | Breastfeeding protects against breast cancer, Interrupting breastfeeding conditions the onset of breast cancer

Video: Breast Surgery Misconceptions: Cancer and Breastfeeding. Nuffield Health (March 2024).