Can you breastfeed after mastectomy

Many breast cancers are sensitive to estrogen, so there has been concern that for women who have had breast cancer, the high hormone levels that result from a pregnancy might increase the chance of the cancer coming back.

Studies have shown, though, that pregnancy does not increase the risk of the cancer coming back after successful treatment. In fact, some research suggests having a history of breastfeeding might actually lower the risk of the cancer coming back.

If you want to have children, some doctors advise breast cancer survivors to wait at least 2 years after treatment is finished before trying to get pregnant. The best length of time to wait is not clear, but 2 years is thought to be enough time to find any early return of the cancer, which could affect your decision to become pregnant.

For women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, adjuvant hormone therapy is typically recommended for 5 to 10 years after the initial treatment. Women who want to have children during this time are often advised to take hormone therapy for at least 2 years before stopping it and trying to become pregnant and then starting it again after the baby is born. Keep in mind that the advice about waiting 2 years is not based on data from any clinical trials.

And some breast cancers can come back after the 2-year mark, so every case is different. Breastfeeding during chemotherapy is "never safe," Michael T. Cappello, D. Cappello says. The most common form of radiation therapy is called external beam radiation, and it's generally considered safe to breastfeed while receiving this type. But other types such as brachytherapy , which occurs internally via an implant , may come with more risks.

After a mastectomy, you're highly unlikely to be able to breastfeed on the affected side because the remaining tissue won't produce much if any milk, Jennifer Litton , M. So, if you undergo a double mastectomy, it almost certainly isn't going to happen. But, if you opt for a lumpectomy or single mastectomy as in Smith's case , breastfeeding may still be possible with the unaffected breast. Whether or not that will be enough is another question.

Cappello says, but not always. Sometimes, supplementation is necessary if one breast does not provide enough milk for the baby. Ashley Colberg Sabo, M. Of course, many patients undergo a combination of these types of treatment, which may make timing a little more complicated. Although circumstances can vary widely between patients, it may be "several months" after treatment before your doctor says it's OK to breastfeed, Dr.

Litton says. Colberg Sabo says. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Breastfeeding After Breast Cancer. Medically Reviewed by Kameelah Phillips, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. It is possible to breastfeed after breast cancer — sometimes with a little extra help.

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