Pregnant mom with breast cancer

[Guest guest]

I have a pregnant mom at 37 weeks who will be induced tomorrow or the day after because she has surgery on Tuesday for ductal carinoma in her right breast. I am gathering as much information as I can. Please advise soon!

Sincerely thanks! Walters, IBCLC, BBA

[Guest guest]

Did they give her an explanation as to why they won't let her carry her baby to term and hold off just a few weeks for the surgery? Statesville, NC

I have a pregnant mom at 37 weeks who will be induced tomorrow or the day after because she has surgery on Tuesday for ductal carinoma in her right breast. I am gathering as much information as I can. Please advise soon!

Sincerely thanks! Walters, IBCLC, BBA

[Guest guest]

Nope, not getting into the specifics of timing. Mom is wants to nurse whenever and however she can.

 

Did they give her an explanation as to why they won't let her carry her baby to term and hold off just a few weeks for the surgery? Statesville, NC

 

I have a pregnant mom at 37 weeks who will be induced tomorrow or the day after because she has surgery on Tuesday for ductal carinoma in her right breast. I am gathering as much information as I can.

Please advise soon!

Sincerely thanks! Walters, IBCLC, BBA

[Guest guest]

She can breastfeed as normal. I recently worked with a breast cancer patient who

had chemo 2 times during her pregnancy. The time from her last chemo to birth

had been long enough she breastfed as normal until her procedure. She was to

have a mastectomy but we just methodically went through all of her options from

pumping the unaffected breast to preserve her supply until the chemo was over,

milk banks and donor milk etc.

>

> I have a pregnant mom at 37 weeks who will be induced tomorrow or the day

> after because she has surgery on Tuesday for ductal carinoma in her right

> breast.

>

> I am gathering as much information as I can.

>

> Please advise soon!

>

> Sincerely thanks!

> Walters, IBCLC, BBA

>

[Guest guest]

If she gets radiation to the affected breast it may destroy the milk ducts. I have a client right now that has experienced that. she is a breast cancer survivor. one breast affected. That breast makes no milk whatsoever. the other breast is minimal. I think, the radiation probably affected the other breast slightly. Also, She had a catheter in that side that probably also caused some problems. I would counsel your client that she may have some supply issues.... Hopefully, not! Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC Lactation Consultant/Postpartum Doula www.second9months.comBreastfeeding Between the

Lines: http://second9months.wordpress.com/Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesecond9months--- Subject: Re: Pregnant mom with breast cancerTo: Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 4:45 PM

She can breastfeed as normal. I recently worked with a breast cancer patient who had chemo 2 times during her pregnancy. The time from her last chemo to birth had been long enough she breastfed as normal until her procedure. She was to have a mastectomy but we just methodically went through all of her options from pumping the unaffected breast to preserve her supply until the chemo was over, milk banks and donor milk etc.

>

> I have a pregnant mom at 37 weeks who will be induced tomorrow or the day

> after because she has surgery on Tuesday for ductal carinoma in her right

> breast.

>

> I am gathering as much information as I can.

>

> Please advise soon!

>

> Sincerely thanks!

> Walters, IBCLC, BBA

>

[Guest guest]

I was just trying to address the immediate postpartum recommendations. Some

people (unfortunately health professionals as well) are under the impression

that you cannot breastfeed if you have breast cancer.

I'm curious about what you think happened to her unaffected breast as a result

of the radiation? There isn't a ton of research on this topic so I'm interested

in hearing other LC's experiences.

>

> If she gets radiation to the affected breast it may destroy the milk ducts.

 I have a client right now that has experienced that.  she is a breast cancer

survivor.  one breast affected.  That breast makes no milk whatsoever.  the

other breast is minimal.  I think, the radiation probably affected the other

breast slightly.  Also, She had a catheter in that side that probably also

caused some problems.  I would counsel your client that she may have some

supply issues....  Hopefully, not!

>

>

> Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC

> Lactation Consultant/Postpartum Doula

>

> www.second9months.comBreastfeeding Between the Lines:

 http://second9months.wordpress.com/Facebook:

>

[Guest guest]

the only thing we can think of is perhaps the radiation wasn't well contained to one breast. also there was ductall damage from the foley catheter. so sad. especially since she had twins! she's working with what she's got, though.... Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC Lactation Consultant/Postpartum Doula www.second9months.comBreastfeeding Between the Lines: http://second9months.wordpress.com/Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesecond9months--- On Tue, 3/15/11, popikins

wrote:Subject: Re: Pregnant mom with breast cancerTo: Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 5:38 PM

I was just trying to address the immediate postpartum recommendations. Some people (unfortunately health professionals as well) are under the impression that you cannot breastfeed if you have breast cancer.

I'm curious about what you think happened to her unaffected breast as a result of the radiation? There isn't a ton of research on this topic so I'm interested in hearing other LC's experiences.

>

> If she gets radiation to the affected breast it may destroy the milk ducts. Â I have a client right now that has experienced that. Â she is a breast cancer survivor. Â one breast affected. Â That breast makes no milk whatsoever. Â the other breast is minimal. Â I think, the radiation probably affected the other breast slightly. Â Also, She had a catheter in that side that probably also caused some problems. Â I would counsel your client that she may have some supply issues.... Â Hopefully, not!

>

>

> Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC

> Lactation Consultant/Postpartum Doula

>

> www.second9months.comBreastfeeding Between the Lines: Â http://second9months.wordpress.com/Facebook:

>

[Guest guest]

Foley in her breast? Are you referring to the drain?

>

[Guest guest]

no a catheter for chemo. very common. Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC Lactation Consultant/Postpartum Doula www.second9months.comBreastfeeding Between the Lines: http://second9months.wordpress.com/Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesecond9months--- From: popikins

Subject: Re: Pregnant mom with breast cancerTo: Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 7:22 PM

Foley in her breast? Are you referring to the drain?

>

[Guest guest]

Chemo catheter, got it, foley catheter in the breast would be new to me!

>

> no a catheter for chemo.  very common.

>

> Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC

> Lactation Consultant/Postpartum Doula

>

> www.second9months.comBreastfeeding Between the Lines:

 http://second9months.wordpress.com/Facebook:

 www.facebook.com/thesecond9months

>

[Guest guest]

it was in the chest, but went through breast tissue.. Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC Lactation Consultant/Postpartum Doula www.second9months.comBreastfeeding Between the Lines: http://second9months.wordpress.com/Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesecond9months--- From: popikins

Subject: Re: Pregnant mom with breast cancerTo: Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 8:04 PM

Chemo catheter, got it, foley catheter in the breast would be new to me!

>

> no a catheter for chemo. Â very common.

>

> Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC

> Lactation Consultant/Postpartum Doula

>

> www.second9months.comBreastfeeding Between the Lines: Â http://second9months.wordpress.com/Facebook: Â www.facebook.com/thesecond9months

>

[Guest guest]

ok...got the name wrong! Hickman catheter! sorry every one... Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC Lactation Consultant/Postpartum Doula www.second9months.comBreastfeeding Between the Lines: http://second9months.wordpress.com/Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesecond9months--- From: popikins

Subject: Re: Pregnant mom with breast cancerTo: Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 8:04 PM

Chemo catheter, got it, foley catheter in the breast would be new to me!

>

> no a catheter for chemo. Â very common.

>

> Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC

> Lactation Consultant/Postpartum Doula

>

> www.second9months.comBreastfeeding Between the Lines: Â http://second9months.wordpress.com/Facebook: Â www.facebook.com/thesecond9months

>

[Guest guest]

During radiation treatment of the breasts, the one with the cancer is treated fully with radiation. However, many doctors also "lightly" treat the unaffected breast with radiation "just in case" there might be cancer cells there too. It is possible this was done to the woman you worked with and she didn't realize what was happening. Because the treatment was "light", she most likely would not have had the burning and other side-effects on the "lightly-treated" breast but the radiation could still damage the ductwork.

Dee Kassing

Subject: Re: Pregnant mom with breast cancerTo: Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 5:38 PM

I was just trying to address the immediate postpartum recommendations. Some people (unfortunately health professionals as well) are under the impression that you cannot breastfeed if you have breast cancer.I'm curious about what you think happened to her unaffected breast as a result of the radiation? There isn't a ton of research on this topic so I'm interested in hearing other LC's experiences.>> If she gets radiation to the affected breast it may destroy the milk ducts. Â I have a client right now that has experienced that. Â she is a breast cancer survivor. Â one breast affected. Â That breast makes no milk whatsoever. Â the other breast is minimal. Â I think, the radiation probably affected the other breast slightly. Â Also, She had a catheter in that side that

probably also caused some problems. Â I would counsel your client that she may have some supply issues.... Â Hopefully, not!> > > Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC > Lactation Consultant/Postpartum Doula > > www.second9months.comBreastfeeding Between the Lines: Â http://second9months.wordpress.com/Facebook: >

[Guest guest]

Oh my, not good but they are doing the right thing because it can be very volatile at this age so time is of the essence. How old is she? Prognosis is not usually too good with premenopausal breast cancer but it will depend on the tumor size, hormone receptors, sentinel node for spread to the lymph nodes, and HER-2 NEU test. My breast cancer in 2004 was postmenopausal.

Gail Neuman RNC BSN CPHW

certified in high risk OB

childbirth/lactation educator & student nurse practitioner

AHA BLS for Healthcare & Heartsaver Family/Friends instructor after 2/23/11

Perinatal Nurse Associates

Baby Your Way Midwifery Associates

801 N. Tustin Ave., Suite 305

Santa Ana, CA 92705

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the insights...keep them coming.Mom is late 30's. She waited 4.5 yrs for this baby. The breast cancer surgeon I talked to last night -great friend and resource- said operating on a lactating breast is fine and the breast that does not have cancer should not have radiation (of course if it was in the lymph nodes we are talking different scenario). The mother will not start chemo or radiation until 6 weeks after the surgery and should go home within a day of surgery on mild pain meds. I am helping mom focus on the positives of those 6 weeks. My surgeon also said she could nurse on that side after surgery depending on what ducts were cut and her pain level depending on where the cancer is located.

Stinks doesn't it?

Oh my, not good but they are doing the right thing because it can be very volatile at this age so time is of the essence. How old is she? Prognosis is not usually too good with premenopausal breast cancer but it will depend on the tumor size, hormone receptors, sentinel node for spread to the lymph nodes, and HER-2 NEU test. My breast cancer in 2004 was postmenopausal.

 

 

Gail Neuman RNC BSN CPHW

certified in high risk OB

childbirth/lactation educator & student nurse practitioner

AHA BLS for Healthcare & Heartsaver Family/Friends instructor after 2/23/11

 

Perinatal Nurse Associates

Baby Your Way Midwifery Associates

801 N. Tustin Ave., Suite 305

Santa Ana, CA 92705

[Guest guest]

But nursing her baby will redirect her

focus on new life, healing and what her body can do .

Ellen Simpson

Tampa

Stinks doesn't it?

[Guest guest]

So when you all say she can still BF, are you saying up to radiation and chemo? Is there a chance she could breastfeed the same baby after chemo and radiation?June , RN, IBCLC, LLLL

[Guest guest]

I have never heard of radiation to the opposite breast also. Yes, her lumpectomy incision has to heal before starting any treatment. I hope she'll be OK. Here's a link on the news today of a similar scenario:

http://www.ivillage.com/mom-pregnant-twins-develops-breast-cancer/4-h-328799?obref=obnetwork

Gail

Thanks for the insights...keep them coming.Mom is late 30's. She waited 4.5 yrs for this baby. The breast cancer surgeon I talked to last night -great friend and resource- said operating on a lactating breast is fine and the breast that does not have cancer should not have radiation (of course if it was in the lymph nodes we are talking different scenario). The mother will not start chemo or radiation until 6 weeks after the surgery and should go home within a day of surgery on mild pain meds. I am helping mom focus on the positives of those 6 weeks. My surgeon also said she could nurse on that side after surgery depending on what ducts were cut and her pain level depending on where the cancer is located. Stinks doesn't it?

Oh my, not good but they are doing the right thing because it can be very volatile at this age so time is of the essence. How old is she? Prognosis is not usually too good with premenopausal breast cancer but it will depend on the tumor size, hormone receptors, sentinel node for spread to the lymph nodes, and HER-2 NEU test. My breast cancer in 2004 was postmenopausal.

Gail Neuman RNC BSN CPHW

certified in high risk OB

childbirth/lactation educator & student nurse practitioner

AHA BLS for Healthcare & Heartsaver Family/Friends instructor after 2/23/11

Perinatal Nurse Associates

Baby Your Way Midwifery Associates

801 N. Tustin Ave., Suite 305

Santa Ana, CA 92705

[Guest guest]

There is, she would need to continue to pump, to preserve her supply. And it may

be a while before use of her milk may resume, but in the interest of informed

information sharing I do discuss these things with mothers. And it's difficult

to anticipate what type of supply she'll be able to sustain, particularly to the

affected breast. I've had half a dozen or so patients who anticipate cancer

treatment postpartum, from thyroid cancer, breast and other types of cancer. The

patient I mentioned previously had 2 chemo treatments prenatally and breastfed

her baby for about 10 days postpartum. She arranged milk sharing, and some use

of formula after deciding that pumping wasn't feasible for her during and after

her breast cancer treatment.

>

> So when you all say she can still BF, are you saying up to radiation and

> chemo? Is there a chance she could breastfeed the same baby after chemo and

> radiation?

>

> June , RN, IBCLC, LLLL

>