If a nursing mother has cancer, would the cancer cells get into the breastmilk and affect her baby?

Chemo excretion: As a general rule, breast feeding should be avoided in women while receiving chemotherapy/systemic treatment for cancer-not so much about the cancer cells get into the breast milk- however due to many chemo ( especially alkylating agents) are excreted in the beast milk and would harm the baby.

NO: Cancer cells will not pass through milk and baby will not get cancer however physicians will not allow breast feeding during treatment of a nursing mother, as the medications, diagnostic radio isotopes will pass and affect the baby.