In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) I bring you some important information on breast cancer:
~ If you are breastfeeding and scheduled for a breast biopsy, you could participate in a groundbreaking research study. Tanya at the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog explains how “when you make milk, cells from your milk ducts are exfoliated off in the process. These are called epithelial cells, and they’re detectable in your milk. Past research has demonstrated that long before we notice a lump, those epithelial cells start changing in ways that are precursors to the development of breast cancer.” If you participate …read more

Even though I highlighted the reduced risk of breast cancer for breastfeeding women, it remains important for every woman to be proactive about her health. Thus, my series of posts related to Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues with a discussion of breast-self exams for breastfeeding women.
As always, consult your doctor with respect to medical issues. This disclaimer is particularly important with respect to breast health, given both the seriousness of breast cancer and the current debate over the merit of breast self-exams. While traditionally the recommendation has been for monthly breast self-exams starting at age 20, recent studies have questioned whether breast self-exams reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer. Consequently, the …read more