Most people know breastfeeding is good for babies, but did you know it lowers breast cancer risk in mothers too?
As we observe Breastfeeding Week this August, it’s time to highlight an underappreciated benefit of breastfeeding: its ability to reduce the risk of breast cancer in mothers.
Did you know?
Breastfeeding doesn’t just nurture your baby, it also protects your own health. Extensive research shows that women who breastfeed have a lower lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. The protective effect increases the longer you breastfeed.
Why Is This Important?
Breastfeeding helps remove cells with potential DNA damage from breast tissue, making healthy breast changes less likely to become cancerous.
Supporting breastfeeding is a public health strategy that benefits both mothers and infants.
Increased awareness can empower more mothers to breastfeed, ultimately lowering breast cancer rates.
How can we, as a healthcare community, make this life-saving connection common knowledge?
What are your experiences, either clinically or personally, with educating about this topic?
Honestly, this is one of those truths that more people should be aware of. We talk a lot about how breastfeeding improves babies which it undoubtedly does but the benefits for mothers are frequently forgotten. The link between breastfeeding and lower risk of breast cancer is more than simply a minor detail; it is a major health revelation that, if more people were aware of it, might save lives. We, as a healthcare community, need to talk about it more frequently, not just during Breastfeeding Week, but all year. This information deserves to be heard more clearly, whether during pregnancy appointments, postpartum treatment, or even informal health conversations. No pressure, no guilt just providing parents with the complete picture. Because when people understand why something benefits them, they are more inclined to adopt it. And, truthfully, that information can go a long way.
Absolutely agree with you.
We talk so much about breastfeeding for babies (which is vital), but the protection it offers mothers, especially against breast cancer, is a fact that needs more attention.
Yes, breastfeeding plays a very important role in protecting the mothers against breast cancers , mostly the cancers that happen in women who are in premenopausal stage. During breastfeeding after the birth of baby, a lot of changes occur in the breast tissues and that serves protection against cancerous condition, because during that time a lot of shedding of breast epithelial cells happen. In India, due to stigma in the society, this information is not known to many women and awareness should be generated more in this context through pre-pregnancy and post-pregnancy counseling to new mothers. Hospitals can run campaigns promoting the process of breast feeding and it’s significance to women from all categories, areas (rural and urban), and economical strata.
Absolutely agree! The biological protection breastfeeding offers against premenopausal breast cancer is so powerful, yet no awareness in India. Pre- and postnatal counseling can play a huge role in spreading this awareness across all sections of society.
Most women who breastfeed experience hormonal changes during lactation that delay the return of their menstrual periods after childbirth. This reduces their lifetime exposure to hormones like estrogen, which can promote breast cancer cell growth. The body also sheds breast tissue naturally during pregnancy and breastfeeding. “And, in that process,” Bevers explains, “it is possible you’ll shed some cells that had the potential to become abnormal.”
Yes breast feeding plays a vital role in protecting mothers from the risk of developing breast cancer. 12months of breast feeding can decrease the risk of breast cancer approximately about 4.3%. Many women aware of that breast feeding benefits create an awareness program to maximise the benefits
Thank you for drawing attention to this. I feel that public health initiatives ought to emphasise the fact that every extra month of nursing provides somewhat additional safety.
Many people don’t realize that breastfeeding helps protect mothers from breast cancer too, not just babies. It’s important we talk more about this so more women can make informed choices for their health.
This is a truly informative article, I’ve never heard of this before. Indeed this could save the lives of many women all over the world and reduce the stigma surrounding breast feeding altogether. Thank You for sharing!
Absolutely! It’s a powerful benefit that deserves more attention. Raising awareness can truly empower women to make choices that protect both their baby and themselves.
Absolutely! Every extra month truly counts. Highlighting this in public health initiatives can empower more women to choose and continue breastfeeding for their babies and their own long-term health.
Exactly! A 12-month breastfeeding duration can indeed lower breast cancer risk significantly. Awareness programs can bridge the knowledge gap and encourage more mothers to make informed choices. Let’s keep spreading the word!
How can we, as a healthcare community, make this life-saving connection common knowledge?
As healthcare providers, we must: