A breast full of milk

While genetics can certainly increase risk of the disease, for most women lifestyle factors , such as alcohol or being overweight or obese, are bigger influences on developing breast cancer. Both studies found that the risk was mostly limited to post-menopausal women who developed a type of breast cancer stimulated by oestrogen, called oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. There was no increased risk of other types of breast cancer which rely on other growth factors such as HER2 positive breast cancer. But because of their design, the studies could only conclude that there was an association between milk consumption and breast cancer — they could not prove that drinking milk caused cancer. But the authors could still not completely discount all other possible explanations for their findings.

This material must not be used for commercial purposes, or in any hospital or medical facility. Failure to comply may result in legal action. Medically reviewed by Drugs. Last updated on Nov 16, Your breasts contain small sacs called mammary glands. These glands make breast milk.

This can be done by hand expressing , using a breast pump, or ideally by your baby breastfeeding to drain the breasts. Her baby, who would normally be the ideal trigger for a let-down, may also be refusing to latch, or be unable to latch because the nipple or breast may have changed shape. If the route to the nipple is blocked and milk cannot flow, the engorgement cannot be relieved.

Last Updated: August 7, References. This article was medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD. There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed , times.