See How Breastfeeding Could Reduce Your Risk Of Breast Cancer

By Sophie Borland

Breastfeeding reduces a woman’s risk of dying from breast cancer by more than a quarter, according to a study.

It was also found to cut the likelihood of the disease coming back by 30 per cent.

Scientists believe that the protective effect is caused by a reduction in the levels of the hormone oestrogen, which is known to trigger cancer.

But although they have long known that breastfeeding prevents breast cancer, this is the first study to show the extent to which it prevents tumours growing back.

US researchers studied 1,636 women with breast cancer who had completed a questionnaire which included whether they had breastfed in the past.

When they analysed the results, they found that breastfeeding protected against the most common genetic type of breast cancer – luminal subtype A – but not the rarer forms.

The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, also found that the longer the women breastfed, the stronger the preventative effect became.

So women who had carried on for the recommended six months were the least likely to see the cancer returning.

Marilyn Kwan, research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, California, said: ‘This is the first study we’re aware of that examined the role of breastfeeding history in cancer recurrence, and by tumour subtype. In fact, the protection was even stronger for women who had a history of breastfeeding for six months or more.’

NHS figures show that 82 per cent of new mothers start off breast-feeding, but this drops to 55 per cent by the time their babies are six weeks old.

And just 1 in 100 do it exclusively for six months as recommended by the World Health Organisation.

Numerous studies have shown that breastfeeding has many health benefits for mother and baby, aside from protecting against cancer.

It has been shown to prevent breast cancer by between 10 and 20 per cent and a study last year found it was particularly beneficial for one of the most deadliest types of tumours.

In addition, babies are less susceptible to infections and allergies as they pick up their mother’s immunity through the breastmilk.

It also helps the mother shed her pregnancy weight as producing milk burns extra calories and enables her to bond more closely with the child.

But many women find it initially uncomfortable or say they are too embarrassed to do it in public due to prejudiced attitudes.

Source: MailOnline