Breastfeeding and the patient's perspective

The purpose of this article is to summarize available data on breastfeeding in patients with a cancer diagnosis.

A review of available literature in the MEDLINE database was performed and the data summarized. In addition, two patient interviews were conducted to gain insight into the patient perspective.

Breastmilk is the nutritional standard for human infants and understanding the implications of a cancer diagnosis on lactation is important in optimizing maternal and infant outcomes. Though limited, available data suggest that breastfeeding may be a safe and appropriate option for some patients undergoing treatment of a malignancy.

Patient experiences with breastfeeding in the setting of a cancer diagnosis vary widely, and depend on the type of malignancy, the timing of the diagnosis, and the indicated treatment. Breastfeeding may be an appropriate option for certain patients after multidisciplinary counseling. Alternatives to breastfeeding exist for patients who are unable to or do not desire to breastfeed.