Exclusive breastfeeding after breast cancer. Case study.
Maria Antónia Poupas Martins, Margarida Sim-Sim
PMID 37129353WHAT IT FOUND
A nurse-led care plan supported one breast cancer survivor in breastfeeding exclusively from her remaining breast.
The mother gained confidence and improved her body image, but this single case cannot prove the approach works for others.
Key findings
01A nurse specialized in maternal health assessed the mother using functional health patterns and defined three nursing diagnoses related to childbearing, breastfeeding readiness, and self-concept.
02After interventions, the mother's ability to safely collect and store breast milk improved from not adequate to totally adequate, and infant growth moved from slightly adequate to substantially adequate.
03The mother's satisfaction with her body appearance and adaptation to physical changes improved, suggesting the care helped her value her remaining breast's function over surgical loss.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This is a single case report, so the results cannot be generalized to other women with breast cancer history. The outcome measures (NOC indicators) are subjective assessments of the mother's perception and skills, not objective clinical trials of efficacy. The study lacks a control group, so it is impossible to determine if the improvement was due to the specific nursing interventions or natural adaptation over time. The mother had a supportive family environment and prior education (Birth Preparation Program), which may not be typical for all patients.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest or funding sources were declared in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that nurse-led care plans are proven to increase breastfeeding success rates in breast cancer survivors. This is a single case report with level 5 evidence, meaning it describes what happened to one person and cannot demonstrate that the intervention caused the positive outcome or that it would work for others.