Does Breastfeeding Prevent Breast Cancer?

Did you know breastfeeding can help lower your risk of developing breast cancer? Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women, with approximately 1 in 8 women receiving a diagnosis at some point in their lifetime. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk, such as staying physically active and limiting alcohol consumption. A 2020 study in the United States found that only 38.5% of women surveyed were aware of the protective benefits of breastfeeding against breast cancer. Keep reading to learn more about how breastfeeding can lower your risk of developing breast cancer, along with other preventative measures you can take.

Language matters

Breastfeeding is a topic we’ll be discussing in this article, along with other methods of decreasing the chances of breast cancer in individuals who were assigned female at birth.

It’s worth mentioning that not all individuals who were assigned female at birth identify as “female,” and some may prefer the term “chestfeeding” over “breastfeeding.” However, we may use words such as “female,” “women,” or “breastfeeding” from a study or statistic to ensure that this article can be easily found by those searching for it.

Our goal is to create all-inclusive content that reflects the diversity of our readership whenever possible.

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How does breastfeeding lower your risk of breast cancer?

Breastfeeding is a protective factor for breast cancer. It’s unclear exactly why this is the case. However, a combination of the following elements is likely at work:

• Breastfeeding promotes changes in breast cells that may make breast cancer less likely to occur.
• The hormonal changes during breastfeeding can delay the return of your period, meaning you’re exposed to less estrogen while breastfeeding. Long-time exposure to estrogen raises breast cancer risk.
• It’s more likely that breastfeeding people engage in healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a balanced diet, avoiding alcohol, and not smoking.

Now let’s look at what some of the research on breastfeeding and breast cancer risk has found.

Research into breastfeeding and breast cancer risk

Research conducted in 2002 analyzed data from 47 studies across 30 countries and concluded that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer by 4.3% every 12 months. The risk reduction was not dependent on location, age, ethnicity, or personal factors such as the number of births or menopausal status.

Breastfeeding also benefits high-risk individuals with specific genetic changes, as a 2012 study found that breastfeeding for at least a year was associated with a 32% risk reduction in people with changes in the BRCA1 gene. Furthermore, studies from 2015 and 2019 suggest that breastfeeding may protect against hormone receptor-negative breast cancers, which have a poorer prognosis.

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What are the other benefits of breastfeeding?

The choice of whether or not to breastfeed is a profoundly personal one. But if it’s feasible for you, it’s worth considering. Apart from decreasing the possibility of breast cancer, it also provides numerous other advantages.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breastfeeding benefits you by reducing your risk of:

• high blood pressure
• type 2 diabetes
• ovarian cancer

In addition to providing your baby with nutrition, breastfeeding can benefit your baby by reducing their risk of:

• respiratory, ear, and gastrointestinal infections
• type 1 diabetes
• obesity
• asthma
• sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• necrotizing enterocolitis, a severe intestinal condition that can affect preterm babies

What other things can you do to lower your risk of breast cancer?

Apart from breastfeeding your children, you can adopt several other measures to decrease your chances of developing breast cancer.

Stay physically active

Regular physical activity is beneficial for reducing the risk of breast cancer and various other types of cancer and promoting overall health. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, aiming for 150 to 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, 75 to 150 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity exercise, or a combination of both, is recommended.

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Manage your weight, if necessary.

It has been found that being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing various types of cancer, such as breast cancer. Therefore, it’s advisable to discuss with a doctor the healthy ways to manage your weight in case you fall under this category.

Reduce alcohol consumption

Excessive alcohol consumption can significantly raise the risk of breast cancer and negatively affect your overall health. To mitigate such risks, it is advisable to either reduce your alcohol intake or abstain from drinking altogether.

If you decide to drink, it is recommended that women limit their consumption to one drink or less per day, while men should have no more than two drinks per day, as per the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Additionally, it is essential to remember that the definition of a standard drink varies depending on the type of alcohol.

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Talk with a doctor

If your family has a history of breast cancer, you should talk with a doctor. They may recommend genetic testing to determine if gene mutations could significantly increase your risk. If such modifications are detected, there are preventative measures available, such as medication or surgery, that you can consider.

It is important to note that certain hormone-based medications, such as oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, may also heighten your risk of developing breast cancer. If you are taking such drugs, discussing their advantages and disadvantages with your physician and any potential alternatives would be beneficial.

What are the primary causes and risk factors for breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a condition where breast cells undergo uncontrolled growth and division, which may lead to spreading in other parts of the body. This happens due to genetic alterations in your DNA that impact cell growth and division. Some genetic changes occur randomly during cell division, while others may be inherited from your parents. Moreover, particular lifestyle and environmental factors may also trigger genetic changes.

Known risk factors for breast cancer

Things that increase your risk of developing a condition like cancer are called risk factors. The known risk factors for breast cancer include:

• being an older age
• having a personal or family history of breast cancer
• inheriting specific genetic changes, such as those in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
• having dense breasts
• Having certain benign breast conditions like:
  • lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
  • atypical hyperplasia
  • usual ductal hyperplasia
  • fibroadenoma
• having certain other health conditions, such as obesity or type 2 diabetes
• starting your menstrual period at an earlier age
• experiencing menopause at an older age
• not having children or having your first child at a later age
• not breastfeeding
• using certain hormone medications, such as oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy
• receiving radiation therapy to your chest
• being a taller height
• consuming alcohol
• having low levels of physical activity

How often should you receive screening for breast cancer?

Detecting breast cancer in its early stages is crucial, and breast cancer screening plays a vital role in achieving this. A mammogram is the most common test used for screening, and in certain situations, breast MRI or breast ultrasound may also be utilized. Early detection of breast cancer improves the prognosis for individuals diagnosed with the disease.

The American Cancer Society recommends the following for women at an average risk of breast cancer:

• Age 40 to 44: Consider having a screening mammogram every year.
• Age 45 to 54: Receive a screening mammogram each year.
• Age 55 and older: Consider having a screening mammogram every other year or continue to have them yearly.

Those at a high risk of breast cancer should begin screening with a breast MRI and a mammogram starting at age 30. This includes:

• people with a strong family history of breast cancer
• individuals with known genetic changes that increase breast cancer risk
• those who’ve received radiation therapy to their chest

Screening recommendations can vary between organizations.

It’s important to note that screening recommendations may differ depending on the organization that issues them. For instance, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force may have varying recommendations.

Therefore, it’s advisable to have an honest discussion with your doctor about your specific breast cancer risk. They can provide suitable screening schedules and methods based on your needs.

Frequently asked questions about breastfeeding and breast cancer

How long do you need to breastfeed to get the most benefits?

Generally, those who breastfeed for over a year tend to experience the most advantages. Yet, even if you breastfeed for less than a year, it is still possible to obtain some benefits.

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Can you still get breast cancer if you breastfeed? How common is it?

Certainly, however, it’s not very frequent during the years when you can bear children. The American Cancer Society reports that breast cancer cases in women under 40 are expected to constitute merely 4% of all new invasive breast cancer diagnoses in 2022.

Similarly, the likelihood of developing breast cancer while breastfeeding is also low. Based on a study conducted in 2012, it is estimated that a meager 3% of women develop breast cancer while nursing.

Does having children decrease your risk of breast cancer (even if you don’t breastfeed them)?

Yes, the risk of breast cancer tends to decrease with the number of births. However, some research indicates that this effect varies between different types of breast cancer.

Can breastfeeding lower the risk of ovarian cancer?

Yes. Some research has found that breastfeeding for over 12 months can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by 37%.

How many women breastfeed?

According to the CDC, 83.2% of babies born in 2019 were breastfed. This number dropped to 55.8% and 35.9% at six months and a year, respectively.

Takeaway

Did you know breastfeeding for over a year can help lower your risk of developing breast cancer? But other ways to reduce your risk include regular exercise, moderate or no alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight. Early detection through screening is vital for effective breast cancer treatment, so it’s essential to consult a doctor about when to start screening.