Breast Feeding May Help Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer

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A new research uncovers much more evidence that breastfeeding is healthy and highly beneficial for mother and child. Children who are breastfed are healthier and are more resistant to a range of disease and infection that children who are fed through formula. Breastfeeding for mothers who have breast cancer can lessen the risk of recurring or succumbing to the disease.

The research was published last April 28 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and suggests that breastfeeding can affect the survival rates of mothers with breast cancer.

"We found in this study of over 1,600 women with breast cancer that those who previously breast-fed had a 30 percent overall decreased risk of their breast cancer recurring," according Marilyn Kwan of California's Kaiser Pemanente via CBS News. "We also found those who previously breast-fed had a 28 percent reduced risk of dying from their breast cancer."

Although there has been previous research linking breastfeeding to lesser risk of developing breast cancer, Kwan however, said in a report by Science Times:

"This is the first study we're aware of that examined the role of breastfeeding history in cancer recurrence, and by tumor subtype. Women who breastfeed are more likely to get the Luminal A subtype of breast cancer, which is less aggressive, and breastfeeding may set up a molecular environment that makes the tumor more responsive to anti-estrogen therapy."

Kwan also added that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of developing the disease between 5 to 10 percent. "Breastfeeding may increase the maturation of ductal cells in the breast, making them less susceptible to carcinogens or facilitate the excretion of carcinogens, and lead to slower growing tumors,"  Bette Caan, co-author of the study said.

For the research, the researchers analyzed looked at more than 1,500 data of women with breast cancer, mostly coming from Kaiser Permanente patients in California.

The team found that women who breastfeed or have a history of breastfeeding have a 30 percent lower recurrence risk for breast cancer and 28 percent less likely to die by the disease. However, the same thing cannot be said for women who breastfed for less than six months.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical authorities have recommended for babies to be breastfed for six months since its birth and should continue to breastfeed for a year if possible. Breastfeeding is a natural process and remains to be the healthiest way to nurture an infant.