Breastmilk provides a complete nourishment to your baby and therefore doctors always recommend breastfeeding for at least 6 months for better health of baby and mother. Today on the honor of breastfeeding week, we are going to discuss, does breast cancer lowers your risk of developing breast cancer? The answer is yes, the woman who breastfed is having lower risk as compared to those who don’t. The analysis shows that the woman who breastfed for at least 12 months decreases her risk of breast cancer by 4.3%. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of pre and post-menopausal breast cancer.
How Breastfeeding Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer?
During breastfeeding, a woman goes through many hormonal changes that possibly delay their periods. This reduces woman’s exposure to hormones like estrogen, which is responsible for breast cancer cell growth. Breastfeeding also makes breast cells more resistant to mutations that may cause cancer.
In addition to this, the women who breastfed tend to give up smoking and drinking, eat healthier foods, which ultimately reduces breast cancer risk.
For how much duration woman should do breastfeeding?
Women should do breastfeeding for at least 6 months exclusively according to the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Health Organization. During the first 6 months, the baby should receive only mother’s milk, no water, and other liquids or solids. Breast milk provides all essential nutrients required for your baby to develop and stay healthy during the first 6 months. After 6 months, breast milk is half essential to baby and therefore other forms of foods are given along with breast milk. After 6 months, breastfeeding gives more protection against breast and ovarian cancers.
How breastfeeding protect your child from cancer?
Most people unaware that breastfeeding also reduces the chances of developing cancer in children. Breast milk helps a child from being overweight. Being obese puts a person at risk of many cancers.
Breastfeeding is about your health as well as your child’s. Therefore, all women should do breastfeeding for a healthy life. If you have any trouble regarding this you can get help from a lactation consultant or a professional breastfeeding specialist.
Can a woman breast-feed if she has breast cancer?
Breast cancer specialists always recommend stopping breastfeeding if a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. During breast cancer treatment, breast milk may get affected and negatively impact on the baby. Especially a woman going for chemotherapy should completely stop feeding her child.
In some cases, during breast cancer treatment also breastfeeding is possible, but it is necessary to speak to a breast cancer specialist before and during the treatment process.
Note: Breast feeding reduces the risk of breast cancer, but even after doing breast feeding, women may have breast cancer. Don’t hesitate to see a breast cancer doctor near you and explain your concern. Also get advice regarding breast feeding during breast cancer treatment.
