Breastfeeding after breast cancer

October 23, 2014

Breastfeeding is said to lower your chances of breast cancer but does not eliminate the risk. Choosing to breastfeed is usually described as a personal decision based on what’s right for you & your baby. For some women, that  ‘choice’ is taken away from them after having breast cancer and the treatment it entails. Such women will be faced with so many physical & emotional challenges to overcome, not least whether they are able to have children post cancer treatment.

Breastfeeding after breast cancer is not widely spoken about however it is possible in some situations. In other cases - like after a double mastectomy - it’s impossible to produce milk. Every circumstance is unique and if you have suffered from breast cancer, your doctor or breastfeeding counsellor will offer you appropriate advice. 

In a society in which we are attempting to normalise breastfeeding, stories about breastfeeding after cancer are even less common, however we’ve managed to find a few to share with you.

"I Breastfed Two Babies After Breast Cancer,  One Mom's Story" published by The Stir 

"Breastfeeding after cancer (and a mastectomy)" by Gina M Shaw

"Breastfeeding after breast cancer: Real mom stories" published by She Knows

"How I nursed after breast cancer" by Catherine Pearson

And last but not least, this article reminds us not to judge those who don’t breastfeed. It reminds us that breastfeeding is an intimate, personal and private situation unique to you and your baby. This story tells of a woman who couldn’t breastfeed after cancer  and the negative judgment thrust upon her.

“Why i don’t breastfeed, if you must know” By Emily Wax-Thibodeaux

Breast checking can identify the early signs of breast cancer making treatments more effective and survival rates higher. Please teach your family that breast checking is a normal healthy habit and lead by example. Look after yourselves.

Please help us support CoppaFeel! by buying one of Sweetheart Nursing Tops £33.00
For every top sold, we will donate £2 to CoppaFeel! ensuring that they can teach many young people in a fun way that knowing their boobs could save their life. Claim your 10% off by clicking on the present icon below.

CoppaFeel! is a charity which proactively educates 18- 30 year old female Britons, in a fun way, to check their boobs for the early signs of breast cancer with the aim of instilling a new healthy habit that could one day save their life. The CoppaFeel! mission is to make sure all breast cancers are diagnosed at the earliest stage possible making treatments more effective and survival rates higher. 

This is how our donation helps:
£2 enables CoppaFeel! to send an SMS reminder message to 40 people every month to check their boobs

£5  helps CoppaFeel! reach 100 people a month and tell them that knowing their boobs could save their life, leaving them to plan nice things.

£50 would allow CoppaFeel! to send one of their Boobettes into a school or work place

£1000 covers the cost of CoppaFeel! going to a music festival to target about 50,000 more people

Alternatively, to make a direct donation text CoppaFeel! £3 (or whatever amount you’d like to give) to 70300. 

 

 

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