Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Breastfeeding After Breast Cancer: What Survivors Need To Know
Some people can breastfeed after breast cancer treatment.
If one breast was removed, the other breast may still make milk.
However, it may not always make enough milk for the baby.
If a person had surgery that saved the breast but then received radiation, that breast may make less milk.
Sometimes the treated breast may make little or no milk.
Radiation can affect the parts of the breast that produce and carry milk.
The untreated breast may work normally.
Breastfeeding can still be possible even if only one breast produces most of the milk.
Each person’s situation is different.
A woman who has had a single mastectomy may be able to breastfeed using the remaining breast.
The remaining breast may produce enough milk, but an adequate supply is not guaranteed for everyone.
Breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation may reduce milk production in the treated breast.
Radiation can affect breast tissue and ducts, causing the treated breast to produce little or no milk.
Breastfeeding does not have to be all-or-nothing because the unaffected breast may contribute substantially.
- Who
- Women who have survived breast cancer and want to breastfeed.
- What
- The article explains breastfeeding possibilities after mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation.
- Why
- Surgery and radiation can affect breast tissue, milk production, and the ducts that carry milk.
- After single mastectomy
- The remaining breast may be able to produce enough milk to feed the baby.
- Milk supply
- An adequate milk supply is not guaranteed for every woman.
- Breast-conserving surgery
- The treated breast may produce less milk after surgery followed by radiation.
- Effect of radiation
- Radiation can affect breast tissue and ducts.
- Untreated breast
- The unaffected breast may contribute substantially to feeding the baby.
- Breastfeeding approach
- Breastfeeding does not have to be an all-or-nothing experience.