Can Chemotherapy Patients Breastfeed Their Babies?

Medical Video: Breastfeeding and Reduced Breast Cancer Risk

Can nursing mothers during chemotherapy? This question often arises along with the increase in cancer patients in the world with various conditions, including a mother who is pregnant or breastfeeding. Although according to the American Cancer Society cancer cases found in pregnant women are very rare, which is 1 compared to 3,000 in pregnant women, but there are fears the number will increase. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers who have this 'special' condition, of course just like other cancer patients must undergo chemotherapy. Then, may the mother who is undergoing chemotherapy breastfeed her baby? See the following article review.

What is the effect of chemotherapy on a woman's body?

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment technique to slow or destroy the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy is an effective treatment for cancer and eliminates cancer symptoms in patients with advanced cancer. According to Dr. I Gusti Ayu Nyoman Partiwi SpA or Dr. Tiwi, which was reported from DetikHealth, besides damaging cancer cells, chemotherapy can also damage good cells, which causes a lot of side effects caused by chemotherapy, such as being able to attack blood, causing baldness and disturbing digestive system.

According to a case report published by the surgery department, the Andalas University Medical School in 2013 stated that 3% of all breast cancer sufferers were pregnant women and about 7% of women with breast cancer will experience pregnancy. Breast cancer in pregnancy is most commonly found in women who delay pregnancy at the age of 30 to 40 years. The highest age for breast cancer in pregnancy is 32-38 years.

Delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer in pregnancy is due to changes in parenchyma and increased water content in the breast making it difficult for clinical examination. In mothers with cancer, chemotherapy therapy makes mothers unable to carelessly give breast milk to their babies.

Can a patient breastfeed during chemotherapy?

Of course very not recommended for mothers who have just undergone chemotherapy to give breast milk to their babies. Why? Because the drugs given to chemotherapy patients can get out of the body in several ways, such as passing urine, vomit, blood, and feces. This drug serves to destroy the growth of cancer cells, and usually the doctor will advise patients to be more careful for 48 hours after the drug enters. Chemotherapy drugs can be absorbed through breast milk so it is not good if the milk is consumed by the baby.

Is it forever that mothers who undergo chemotherapy cannot give milk to their baby? Mother can still give milk to her baby by waiting up to 7 times half life from the drug given. Half life is the time needed for the chemotherapy drug so that the dose reaches half the dose given. If the blood level of chemo drugs is below 1%, then it is declared safe. But it should be noted that half life each drug varies.

Mother who is undergoing chemotherapy is not recommended to give breast milk to her baby, but only during chemotherapy. After chemotherapy treatment ends with attention half life from chemotherapy drugs given, the mother can continue to give milk to the child.

It is also recommended that you consult a lactation team or doctor to ask about breastfeeding in this 'special' condition. However, breast milk is the most beneficial nutrient as an immune for the newborn little one. Don't forget if you have the closest person to this condition, it's important to provide support.