Does breastfeeding impact breast cancer?
As a new mom who’s grappling with the decision of whether to breastfeed (and if you’ll be able to manage it), there’s a lot of misinformation to sift through.
Perhaps one of the more worrying concerns is that breastfeeding has a link to breast cancer.
Let’s sort fact from fiction.
Why is breastfeeding recommended?
Doctors and medical experts invariably recommend breastfeeding because it’s the first close contact between the mother and infant. There’s clinical proof to support that breastfeeding brings a host of amazing benefits for both mom and baby. According to UNICEF, “The ‘first milk’ – or colostrum – is rich in antibodies and gives newborns an immunity boost while their own immune systems are still developing.”
Information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) supports the value of breastfeeding. “Breastfeeding is an investment in health, not just a lifestyle decision. Infants who are breastfed have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, Type 1 diabetes, ear infections, diarrhoea and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)”.
And that’s just a few of the benefits.
For moms, breastfeeding lowers their risk of postpartum depression, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, ovarian cancer – and breast cancer. It’s also a time of incredible bonding between parent and child.
The breast cancer question
So, where does the scaremongering about breast cancer come from? It’s not certain where or how this sentiment emanated.
Unfortunately, breast cancer is one of the most common diseases affecting women and it’s likely that many women who have successfully breastfed have gone on to have breast cancer.
Even a woman without glaring breast cancer risk factors might still get breast cancer in her lifetime.
On the other side of the spectrum, however, there’s heartening research and science-based facts that link breastfeeding to a lower risk of breast cancer.
According to the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF), “Breastfeeding decreases the risk of breast cancer in the mother. The evidence shows that, in general, the greater the number of months that women continue breastfeeding their babies, the greater the protection these women have against breast cancer.”
Why is this so?
From Cancer Research UK, “Breastfeeding lowers the risk of developing breast cancer, particularly if you have children when you are younger. The longer you breastfeed the more the risk is reduced. It is not completely clear why this is. But the reduced risk might be because the ovaries don't produce eggs so often during breastfeeding. Or it might be because breastfeeding changes the cells in the breast so they might be more resistant to changes that lead to cancer.”
The CDC echoes this theory, pointing out that, “One reason may be that when a woman is breastfeeding, she experiences hormonal changes that may delay the return of her menstrual periods. This reduces her lifetime exposure to hormones such as estrogen, which are linked to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.”
Of course, not every mom is able to breastfeed easily and for the recommended six months. If you are struggling, speak to your doctor or a lactation consultant for advice.
And it goes without saying that taking care of your health will always be the best way you can lower your risk for any disease.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, and usage of any medication.