Hello all! regarding breast tissue and using this area as a source for injecting insulin or placing a cannula site or omnipod i am all for it honestly. There are some endocrinologists that i have experienced saying that there is a fear that because insulin is a growth hormone, injecting insulin into the breast may not be smart because it could increase the chance of cancers in this area but there has been no evidence showing this.
I think there is a slight misconception when we talk about injecting insulin "into the breast tissue". nobody is injecting insulin into the bolbous part of the breast, we are doing it in the area of skin above the breast, so essentially upper chest area usually. i would not recommend putting a site directly on to the breast for risk of the above but around the breast area i think is completely fine. It is certainly not my first recommended spot but when people are having challenges with poor infusion in other areas or with areas of lipohypertrophy it is a fantastic area to be able to add to the rotation. we have type 1 diabetes for forever so rotation widely of sites is really important.
Some of the risks that i have found stated online include:
- Infection: As mentioned earlier, the breast tissue is more prone to infection, and injecting insulin in the breast can increase the risk of localized or systemic infections.
- Poor Blood Sugar Control: Due to the lack of effective absorption, injecting insulin in the breast may result in poor blood sugar control, leading to hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.
- Breast Tissue Damage: Injecting insulin in the breast can cause damage to the delicate breast tissue, leading to pain, inflammation, and potential complications.
Personally, i have found above the breast to be a fantastic spot for infusion of insulin, since having babies, i cant use my lower abdomen at all unless i want to deliver three times the amount of insulin.. i use my arms for cannula sites, lower thighs, upper abdomen and above the breast (on the left side only cause i dont get good absorption in the right )
. Everyone is different. I have never had an infection with a cannula site in this area and my blood glucose management is very good... no problems with pain or inflammation in the area either. i guess time will tell in the long run if there is going to be complications.. but for now, we are good...
Have a fantastic day all!
(small mod edit)