Question For Those Breastfeeding Near Time of Diagnosis...

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Lexica
Lexica Member Posts: 259
edited June 2020 in Young With Breast Cancer

Just curious if any others experienced difficulty breastfeeding or low milk supply before diagnosis. I had low milk supply with both children (diagnosed 2 years after second child was born). I exclusively pumped for 6 months with my first because she had latch issues. Had clogged ducts with the first, but not the second. Just low milk supply for both. Any others with similar experiences? I know it's likely a fruitless endeavor, but I'm still looking for a why to all of this - or at least a contributing factor.

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  • Falconer
    Falconer Member Posts: 1,192
    edited January 2019

    Hi,


    I breastfed all three of my children- ages 20, 17, and 5 for a year plus. I was diagnosed two years ago when my youngest was 3. My midwife told me that breastfeeding was great protection against Bc. So when I started the mini pill a year after my youngest, I hoped that all the nursing I did would protect me from BC and allow me to take the pill safely. It didn't. So I think it was my family history and taking the pill- my mom never breastfed any of us and she developed BC in her 50s. That's my two cents. Sorry you're here in this boat. Best to you
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  • bestrongforeveryone
    bestrongforeveryone Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2019

    I just got diagnosed and I only finished breastfeeding 8 months ago. I pumped most of the time and also low milk supply. notbsure if any connections but seem like lots new mums diagnosed with BC also breastfed. breastfeeding really prevent BC? I thought it is the oppsite case

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  • iChan25
    iChan25 Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2019

    I was diagnosed when I was weaning my then 20 month old. I think it was probably there before but couldn't feel it from all the lumpiness caused by breastfeeding. I didn't have low supply, in fact I had oversupply that lasted for almost 10 months until my son started eating solids more frequently.

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited May 2019

    As I understand it, breastfeeding is helpful for prevention IF the first pregnancy is before age 30. It makes the breast tissue settle down. But after age 30 pregnancy raises bc risk for a while. As for why, I think in time it will be shown that most women with premenopausal bc have a genetic susceptibility (perhaps as yet unknown). It’s not your fault. Say it. “It’s not my fault.”

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited May 2019

    I breastfed (well, pumped actually) about 4 years before diagnosis. The cancer side NEVER gave nearly as much milk as the non cancer side. I could pump 8-12 oz out of the left but the right would be 3-4 on a good pump session. I have always wondered if there was something to that.

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  • Lexica
    Lexica Member Posts: 259
    edited June 2019

    ShetlandPony - My first daughter was born the day after my 30th birthday... Oi. I know, though - IT'S NOT MY FAULT. Thanks :)

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  • Lexica
    Lexica Member Posts: 259
    edited June 2019

    Also, when I sought my second opinion from Hopkins (from an Oncologist that actually works at the same Federal campus as I do but does her clinic hours at Hopkins - small world), she asked me if my kid stopped wanting to nurse from the cancer side. I didn't remember, honestly, but she said she was convinced the cancer made the milk taste funny and babies usually stopped nursing from the cancer breast. Just her anecdotal opinion, but I was always curious if it was true!

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  • IM2C
    IM2C Member Posts: 16
    edited June 2019

    This happened to me. I was breastfeeding my 17 month old when I was diagnosed. She never had a side preference, but I know from when I had to pump that my cancer side (the right) always had less output than my other side. My imaging showed that my tumor was completely blocking some ducts (I forget the word for this - necro-something, it showed on my imaging reports which I assume caused the difference in milk volume. With IDC, this makes sense - the cancer grows in your ducts, so it can affect supply. Mine did, anyway.

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  • Tresjoli2
    Tresjoli2 Member Posts: 868
    edited June 2019

    I had low supply with both children, and was diagnosed when my daughter was two, following two miscarriages. My MO believes I had PABC - pregnancy associated breast cancer.

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  • LMP100
    LMP100 Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2019

    I was diagnosed about 3 months after weaning my 20 month old. I thought it was just a cyst or something from weaning. My son always preferred the left breast, and I have the tumor in the right. I did make less in the right, but that could have been due to his preference for the other breast. The tumor seemed to appear quickly.

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  • Anotherone
    Anotherone Member Posts: 633
    edited October 2019

    I was diagnosed when still breastfeeding an almost a 2 yo. Cancer side had less milk but the child did not Express any preferences. The whole breast was one big lump :(.

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  • smiling_brenda
    smiling_brenda Member Posts: 23
    edited May 2020

    I heard some anecdotal evidence that mortality and recurrence is higher with pregnancy associated breast cancer. My MO has said that there is no real evidence/study to support this, so the findings are largely anecdotal.

    Has anyone heard anything different from their oncologists? Also, is there any evidence that this could happen again if I were to get pregnant?

    I was diagnosed a few weeks before by daughters 1st birthday. I was still breastfeeding.

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  • Each_day_2018
    Each_day_2018 Member Posts: 154
    edited June 2020

    I know this is an older post, but wanted to chime.I initially went to the doctor regarding a palpable lump at age 29, about a year after weaning my third child.

    They told me due to my age and 3 pregnancies/breastfeeding within 6 years, it was likely changes from stopping breastfeeding. But with my 3rd child, I had a lot of trouble producing milk, especially on the left side, which is where the cancer ended up being...

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  • Lexica
    Lexica Member Posts: 259
    edited June 2020

    So frustrating that they were dismissive. At least do the due diligence and check things out. How are you doing now?

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  • tzoul
    tzoul Member Posts: 19
    edited June 2020

    I was also diagnosed during breastfeeding my 2y boy. In one week we had to stop due to the surgery (I had mastectomy first). I think that was one of the difficult parts (so many changes for my baby).

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