Studies have consistently shown the protective benefits of breastfeeding against breast cancer.
Breastfeeding is not only beneficial for your baby’s health but also plays a significant role in reducing your own risk of breast cancer. Research has shown that breastfeeding can lower the chances of developing this common cancer among women.
During breastfeeding, several factors work together to protect against breast cancer. Firstly, breastfeeding triggers changes in breast cells that make them less prone to becoming cancerous. This natural process helps maintain the health of breast tissue.
Secondly, breastfeeding affects hormone levels in the body. It temporarily delays the return of menstrual periods, reducing overall exposure to estrogen; a hormone linked to higher breast cancer risk. By lowering estrogen levels, breastfeeding creates a less favorable environment for cancer cells to develop.
Moreover, breastfeeding encourages healthy lifestyle habits. Women who breastfeed often maintain balanced diets, avoid smoking, and limit alcohol consumption, all of which contribute to overall better health and further reduce cancer risks.
Studies have consistently shown the protective benefits of breastfeeding against breast cancer. For instance, a 2002 study involving data from 47 studies across 30 countries found that breastfeeding for longer periods could decrease breast cancer risk by about 4.3% for every 12 months of breastfeeding. This reduction is significant across various demographics, highlighting breastfeeding’s universal protective effect.
Additionally, breastfeeding benefits individuals at high risk of breast cancer, including those with genetic predispositions. A 2012 study found that breastfeeding for at least a year was associated with a 32% risk reduction in women with BRCA1 gene mutations.
Furthermore, research from 2015 and 2019 indicates that breastfeeding may specifically protect against hormone receptor-negative breast cancers, which often have poorer outcomes.
In addition to lowering breast cancer risk, breastfeeding offers a host of other health advantages for both mothers and babies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it reduces the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and ovarian cancer in mothers, while providing infants with immunity against infections and lowering their risk of diabetes, obesity, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
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 "How does breastfeeding lower risk of breast cancer?")
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