Breastfeeding reduces risk of breast cancer

Special to the Daily Times

November 21, 2008 10:41 am

— Did you know which women have the lowest risk for ever developing breast cancer? Breastfeeding mothers who as babies were also breastfed. Research shows that breastfeeding can help protect mothers and babies against breast cancer, but the length of time she continues to nurse is also important. The longer she breastfeeds (including breastfeeding any other children) the more protection she receives.
Breastfed babies also have a lowered risk for developing breast cancer. Thus, breastfeeding moms who were also breastfed infants would have the lowest risk possible for ever developing breast cancer.
The United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) issued a press release on Aug. 28 titled: Breastfeeding Reduces Risk of Breast Cancer. It contained the following information: “Breast cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed and second most deadly cancer among women. Similarly, when discussing breast self-exams with their patients, many physicians quote the statistic that one out of every eight women will get breast cancer in her lifetime. Yet many still do not realize that, multiple studies have shown that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer—in addition to lifestyle changes such as exercising, eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol intake and avoiding smoking.”
“USBC Chair Joan Younger Meek, MD MS RD FAAP FABM IBCLC, affirms that research has demonstrated that breastfeeding protects mothers from both breast and ovarian cancers, in addition to the more familiar benefits enjoyed by breastfed babies, including protection against illnesses such as ear infections, respiratory infections and diarrhea, and also protection against chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes and childhood leukemia. Studies have also reported a decreased risk of breast cancer in women with a life-time breastfeeding duration of more than 12 months.”
“Breastfeeding promotion efforts often focus on the benefits to the baby,” Dr. Meek said, “but breastfeeding also provides a host of benefits to mothers. Increased initiation and longer duration of breastfeeding is a major cost-effective primary health prevention strategy to decrease the number of women in the U.S. who will be affected by breast cancer.”
For more information about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit www.nbcam.org For more information about the benefits of breastfeeding, visit the National Women’s Health Information Center at www.4women.gov/breastfeeding for the full report on the “Benefits of Breastfeeding:” www.usbreastfeeding.org
Visit www.babynetky.com.