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Human milk for cancer care: Science-in-extension and gendered digital labor

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  • Harari, Revital
  • Oreg, Ayelet
  • Herbst-Debby, Anat

Abstract

This qualitative case study examines how human milk is framed, negotiated, and justified as a therapeutic resource for adults with cancer within a large digital peer-to-peer human milk-sharing community. Drawing on discourse analysis of posts and comment threads from an online group dedicated to milk donation for oncology patients, the study analyzes how participants construct therapeutic meaning in a context marked by biomedical uncertainty and limited institutional guidance. The findings show that members selectively draw on a pragmatic mode of reasoning we term ‘Science-in-Extension’, in which biomedical language and principles are selectively appropriated and applied beyond their established evidentiary contexts. Rather than fully rejecting biomedical authority, participants appear to rework it in pragmatic ways within a digitally mediated space of uncertainty.

Suggested Citation

  • Harari, Revital & Oreg, Ayelet & Herbst-Debby, Anat, 2026. "Human milk for cancer care: Science-in-extension and gendered digital labor," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 403(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:403:y:2026:i:c:s0277953626005204
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119444
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