Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer in women, accounting for 30% of all new female cancers each year in the United States. For many women who have battled breast cancer, the journey to motherhood and breastfeeding can seem daunting. If you’re a survivor, you may have questions about safety, feasibility, and potential challenges associated with breastfeeding, and we’re here to help.
Many women become pregnant and deliver healthy babies after breast cancer treatment, but treatment may impact your ability to breastfeed. As you embark on your breastfeeding journey, we’ll share valuable insights on breastfeeding after breast cancer, going over safety considerations, potential challenges, the benefits of breastfeeding, and advice on how to increase your chances of successfully breastfeeding.
The Possibility of Breastfeeding After Breast Cancer
Globally, approximately 645,000 premenopausal women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, many of whom dream of becoming mothers or expanding their families. While a diagnosis of breast cancer may feel devastating, the good news is that for many survivors, breastfeeding is indeed possible. However, it is important to note that the ability to breastfeed and the extent of milk production can vary depending on several factors.
The surgical approach used to treat breast cancer plays a crucial role in determining breastfeeding potential. When it comes to preserving breast tissue, prophylactic care through mastectomy is often offered as a way to significantly cut your risk, but it prevents you from breastfeeding in the future. Regardless of the type of surgery offered to you, it’s a serious decision that should be weighed and considered.
Introduce holistic physicians to your team of healthcare professionals. They can provide new or different perspectives to help you consider every angle and option available to you.
1. Type of Surgery
The surgical approach used to treat breast cancer plays a crucial role in determining breastfeeding potential. When it comes to preserving breast tissue, prophylactic care through mastectomy is often offered as a way to significantly cut your risk, but it prevents you from breastfeeding in the future. Regardless of the type of surgery offered to you, it’s a serious decision that should be weighed and considered.
Introduce holistic physicians to your team of healthcare professionals. They can provide new or different perspectives to help you consider every angle and option available to you. Conduct your own research and read about different moms’ experiences with surgery when it comes to breastfeeding after cancer. Many breast cancer patients, especially young ones, are in shock when they hear the news about their diagnosis. It can feel tempting to ask for surgery as quickly as possible without understanding all the implications or determining if it’s even necessary. By building a solid team of healthcare experts and hearing from other moms who have had breast cancer, you will feel better prepared to make an informed decision regarding surgery and maintaining your health.
Here’s more information on different surgical procedures and the results you might expect:
Lumpectomy
This breast-conserving surgery is one of the least impactful surgeries when it comes to a woman’s future breastfeeding ability. Depending on the location and amount of tissue removed, many women can still produce milk in the affected breast. However, milk production may be reduced compared to the unaffected breast, and when lumpectomy is combined with radiation, breastfeeding may not be possible.
Single Mastectomy and Double Mastectomy
There are two other common types of breast surgery to treat cancer: a single mastectomy or a double mastectomy. If only one breast is removed (single mastectomy), breastfeeding is still possible with the remaining breast. The unaffected breast can often compensate and produce enough milk to meet the baby's needs. However, it's important to closely monitor the baby's weight gain in the early weeks postpartum.
With the removal of both breasts (double mastectomy), milk production is not possible as all milk ducts have been removed. However, mothers can still bond with their babies through bottle-feeding expressed donor milk or formula using skin-to-skin contact.
Some survivors choose to reconstruct the shape of their breasts with implants after breast surgery.
2. Radiation Therapy
While radiation may be necessary—and again, always consult with your doctor to make the best, safest decision—it’s important to know that radiation can have significant effects on breastfeeding ability and may result in the following:
Tissue Damage: Extensive radiation treatment for breast cancer can damage breast tissue, potentially reducing milk production capacity and making it more challenging for the baby to latch.
Increased Infection Risk: Radiated breasts may be more susceptible to mastitis (breast infection), which can be more difficult to treat with antibiotics post-radiation.
Skin Sensitivity: There's a potential risk of skin breakdown and abrasions from suckling on the radiated breast.
Milk Production: The radiated side may produce less milk compared to the unaffected side.
Despite these challenges, there are no contraindications to nursing from a radiated breast, and many women successfully breastfeed after radiation therapy.
3. Chemotherapy
The impact of chemotherapy on breastfeeding can vary. Doctors typically advise waiting to breastfeed after chemotherapy since it is unsafe for babies. The waiting period can range from a few days to several months, depending on the specific medications used. This is because some chemotherapy drugs may have long-lasting effects on milk production. However, many women find their milk supply improves over time as their bodies recover.
Maintaining close communication with your healthcare team is crucial to determine when it's safe to begin breastfeeding after chemotherapy and equally important when taking any other medicines to treat your breast cancer.
4. Timing of Treatment
If treatment concluded shortly before pregnancy or during early pregnancy, there might be more challenges with milk production. For women who completed treatment several years before becoming pregnant, there may be a better chance of successful breastfeeding, as their bodies have had more time to recover.
Additionally, some breast cancer survivors take hormone therapy for several years after their initial treatment. These medications are typically not compatible with breastfeeding and may require discontinuation before attempting to breastfeed.
It's crucial to remember that breastfeeding doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Any amount of breast milk, even if supplemented with formula, provides valuable nutrients and antibodies to your baby. Some mothers may choose to breastfeed while supplementing with donor milk or formula when needed.
For the best outcomes, breast cancer survivors planning to breastfeed should:
- Discuss their desire to breastfeed with their oncology team early in their treatment planning.
- Work closely with a lactation consultant who is experienced in supporting cancer survivors.
- Be prepared to use supportive measures such as breast pumps, supplemental nursing systems, or donor milk if needed.
- Stay flexible and celebrate every breastfeeding success, no matter how small.
Research shows that breast cancer survivors who attempt to breastfeed are successful to some degree. In fact, in one study conducted on breast cancer survivor mamas, around half chose to breastfeed. And of that group, 65% of women said they were “somewhat”/”very much” satisfied with their ability to breastfeed.
While results will vary from one mom to another, it's important to remember that any amount of breast milk provided to your baby is beneficial.
Safety Considerations
Even when it is possible to breastfeed after breast cancer, one common concern among breast cancer survivors is whether or not breastfeeding might increase the risk of cancer recurrence. Fortunately, research shows that breastfeeding does not increase this risk. In fact, current evidence suggests that breastfeeding may even reduce the risk of developing certain types of breast cancer, with some showing that breastfeeding for 12 months or longer may cut the risk of breast cancer by up to 26%.
As discussed above, timing is crucial when it comes to breastfeeding after cancer treatment. Your oncologist and obstetrician will work together to determine when it's safe for you to begin breastfeeding. This timeline can vary depending on your specific treatment plan. Additionally, it's essential to discuss any medications you're taking with your healthcare team. Some cancer treatments—including certain chemotherapy drugs, hormone therapies, or immune therapies such as monoclonal antibodies—may not be compatible with breastfeeding and might require a waiting period before it's safe to nurse.
Unique Challenges for Breast Cancer Survivors
Breastfeeding after breast cancer can present some unique challenges that include physical limitations on the body, emotional difficulties, and, as mentioned earlier, issues with milk supply production.
For some women, physical limitations may result in only being able to breastfeed from one breast, which can affect milk supply and require additional strategies to meet the baby's nutritional needs. As mothers embark on their breastfeeding journey, some may face complex emotions related to the cancer experience and body image. Additionally, some treatments may impact overall milk production, requiring patience and potentially supplementation.
Navigating the breastfeeding journey as a breast cancer survivor will vary from one mom to another, so be kind to yourself! Patience is key, but so is finding the right support and community to help you throughout your journey.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Cancer Survivors
Despite these challenges, breastfeeding can offer numerous health benefits for both mother and baby. From providing nutrients to lowering the risk of developing other diseases, breastfeeding plays an important role in supporting mom and baby’s health.
Breast milk provides optimal nutrition and immune support for babies, and as mentioned earlier, some studies suggest that breastfeeding may reduce the risk of certain types of breast cancer recurrence in mothers.
Even for mothers with BRCA gene mutations, new research shows that breastfeeding does not increase the risk of recurrence or developing new breast cancers. Research also indicates that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer, with longer periods of breastfeeding resulting in better protection. In fact, the longer mothers with this gene breastfeed, the lower their risk of developing ovarian cancer. For at-risk mothers, breastfeeding for seven months or longer reduces the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 32% when compared to those who have never breastfed.
Additionally, the breastfeeding experience can be empowering and help restore a sense of normalcy and connection with one's body.
Strategies for Successful Breastfeeding
Work With a Lactation Consultant
An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can provide personalized strategies and support to help you set and achieve realistic breastfeeding goals. Lactation consultants can provide individualized support for breast cancer survivors. They can also help to identify and troubleshoot problems, suggest more comfortable nursing positions, provide advice on how to avoid and heal from nipple pain or breast infections, and provide support as you introduce your baby to solids or transition back to work.
Utilize Breast Pumps Effectively
A high-quality breast pump can help establish and maintain milk supply, especially if nursing from just one breast. Whichever pump you choose, it’s important to be very gentle when expressing milk, especially if you are only breastfeeding from one breast. This is because there isn’t a second option to support you if the side you are using gets infected or develops an abrasion. If this happens, be sure to take care of your breast and take it slowly. If there is any kind of pain, address it with a lactation consultant as soon as possible.
Consider Supplementation
If needed, supplementing with donor milk or formula can ensure your baby receives adequate nutrition while you work on building your supply. Donor milk provides numerous benefits for your little one, such as enhancing nutrition, reducing the risk of infections, providing digestive benefits, and creating opportunities for emotional bonding through skin-to-skin contact.
The Importance of Support
All mamas know the power of a strong support system, and building a pregnancy and postpartum community is even more crucial for successful breastfeeding after breast cancer.
To help you navigate this unique journey, ensure your oncologist, obstetrician, lactation consultant, and other health professionals are communicating and working together. Hospitals often have a nurse navigator who will help oncology patients schedule appointments and set up collaboration meetings with providers to ensure they are communicating. Consider counseling or support groups to address the emotional challenges of surviving cancer and breastfeeding. You can also connect with other moms or breast cancer survivors who have breastfed to share experiences and provide advice.
Finally, lean on your support partners, friends, and family members. Receiving social support from your loved ones may look like asking them to help clean, watching your baby while you rest, or preparing meals. Your mental, emotional, and physical well-being matter, mama! Especially during this transformative period.
If you’re looking for additional support, join our virtual parenting group, The Pumping Room! This Aeroflow Facebook group is an online space where new and expectant parents (and their support people) can connect to share and celebrate the beautiful journey of parenthood. We hope to see you there!
Aeroflow Breastpumps: Supporting Your Breastfeeding Journey
At Aeroflow Breastpumps, we're committed to supporting all mothers in their breastfeeding journey, including breast cancer survivors. We offer access to quality breast pumps through insurance, virtual lactation consultation services, and additional resources and support for pregnant and postpartum mothers.
Remember, breastfeeding after breast cancer is a deeply personal journey, and with the right support and resources, it can be a rewarding experience. Every drop of breast milk is valuable, and any amount you can provide your baby is an achievement to be celebrated—even if it is donor milk!
Be sure to communicate openly with your healthcare providers about your desire to breastfeed, ideally as early as during your cancer treatment planning. This allows your medical team to consider breastfeeding when making treatment decisions, potentially preserving more options for your future.
Whether you're able to breastfeed exclusively, partially, or not at all, know that you're not alone. Resources and support are available to help you navigate this journey. At Aeroflow Breastpumps, we're here to support you every step of the way, from birth and prenatal classes to providing breast pumps through insurance to offering lactation support and resources—and so much more.
As you embark on this new chapter of motherhood after breast cancer, remember that your journey is unique. Celebrate each milestone, be gentle with yourself, and don't hesitate to reach out for support when needed. Your strength and resilience have already brought you so far, and they will continue to guide you through this beautiful, challenging, and rewarding experience of nurturing your baby.
Resources:
https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2023/10/lumpectomy-vs-mastectomy-five-things-to-consider/
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/hcp/illnesses-conditions/breast-surgery.html
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23406557/
https://www.bfmed.org/assets/DOCUMENTS/PROTOCOLS/Protocol%20%2334%20-%20English%20Translation.pdf
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