Can Breastfeeding Prevent Breast Cancer?
It might--if your mom or sister has had breast cancer, finds a new study published today in the Archives of Internal Medicine. "If a woman has a family history of breast cancer, she can feel especially good about breastfeeding," says lead author Alison Steube, MD, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. The finding: high-risk women who breastfed were 59 percent less likely to develop breast cancer before menopause over the next 8 years. "Breastfeeding is good for mothers, not just for babies," says Dr. Steube.
While breast cancer before menopause is relatively rare, it is
often aggressive, with lower survival rates than for older women. There
is often a genetic risk that runs in families. In this study, the women
ranged in age from 33 to 50 at the end; the average age at diagnosis
was 46 years.
Although nursing didn't provide breast cancer protection for women without a family history of the disease, notes Dr. Stuebe, breastfeeding also reduces a woman's risk of developing type 2 diabetes and having a heart attack. "I recommend that all of my patients breastfeed," she says.
While those studies found that a lifetime breastfeeding duration of one or even two years was needed for maximum health benefit, in this study, just nursing for three months over a lifetime was protective against breast cancer. One hypothesis: For high-risk women, going through the bodily changes in preparation for breastfeeding (such as engorgement) but then not nursing, may damage the breast tissue. Dr. Stuebe notes that women in the study who took medications to suppress lactation had less breast cancer risk than those who didn't; while those drugs have other health risks, they may provide an avenue for future research on prevention for high-risk women.
One thing is clear: If you have a family history of breast cancer, this study offers an extra incentive to nurse your baby. "Our results suggest that breastfeeding can substantially reduce your risk," says Dr. Stuebe. To her, that trumps any concern that breast cancer may be harder to diagnosis if you're also breastfeeding. "But if you feel something is not right, don't let your doctor blow you off, saying 'it's just a lump'. If that happens, seek another doctor."
For now, she says, the new research is simply one more reason why our society should commit itself to making it easier for women to nurse their children. She knows how hard it can be. She has a one year old, and she's been accosted for breastfeeding in public--even though it's protected by law in her state. "So I know that on a day to day basis, women who breastfeed get hassled.
"When you have a baby, hospitals routinely make it hard for moms to nurse. As a country, we don't have good maternity leave, so women often scramble back to work earlier than they want. And workplaces don't give women the time and space for breastfeeding. It's a real problem when such healthy behavior gets penalized. The official public health message is loud and clear, but the practical support isn't there. So women get caught in the crossfire. Some decide not to breastfeed because it's just not feasible. The answer is that we need to find a way to make it feasible."
Have a question about breastfeeding? Check out our new center: Breastfeeding Problems, Solved
Have an opinion? Leave a comment below, or join the discussion on our message boards, whether you want breast cancer support or want to discuss breastfeeding vs formula.
--Bob Barnett
Bookmark Health Beat and follow us on Twitter
photo: Getty Images
Although nursing didn't provide breast cancer protection for women without a family history of the disease, notes Dr. Stuebe, breastfeeding also reduces a woman's risk of developing type 2 diabetes and having a heart attack. "I recommend that all of my patients breastfeed," she says.
While those studies found that a lifetime breastfeeding duration of one or even two years was needed for maximum health benefit, in this study, just nursing for three months over a lifetime was protective against breast cancer. One hypothesis: For high-risk women, going through the bodily changes in preparation for breastfeeding (such as engorgement) but then not nursing, may damage the breast tissue. Dr. Stuebe notes that women in the study who took medications to suppress lactation had less breast cancer risk than those who didn't; while those drugs have other health risks, they may provide an avenue for future research on prevention for high-risk women.
One thing is clear: If you have a family history of breast cancer, this study offers an extra incentive to nurse your baby. "Our results suggest that breastfeeding can substantially reduce your risk," says Dr. Stuebe. To her, that trumps any concern that breast cancer may be harder to diagnosis if you're also breastfeeding. "But if you feel something is not right, don't let your doctor blow you off, saying 'it's just a lump'. If that happens, seek another doctor."
For now, she says, the new research is simply one more reason why our society should commit itself to making it easier for women to nurse their children. She knows how hard it can be. She has a one year old, and she's been accosted for breastfeeding in public--even though it's protected by law in her state. "So I know that on a day to day basis, women who breastfeed get hassled.
"When you have a baby, hospitals routinely make it hard for moms to nurse. As a country, we don't have good maternity leave, so women often scramble back to work earlier than they want. And workplaces don't give women the time and space for breastfeeding. It's a real problem when such healthy behavior gets penalized. The official public health message is loud and clear, but the practical support isn't there. So women get caught in the crossfire. Some decide not to breastfeed because it's just not feasible. The answer is that we need to find a way to make it feasible."
Have a question about breastfeeding? Check out our new center: Breastfeeding Problems, Solved
Have an opinion? Leave a comment below, or join the discussion on our message boards, whether you want breast cancer support or want to discuss breastfeeding vs formula.
--Bob Barnett
Bookmark Health Beat and follow us on Twitter
photo: Getty Images
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Going directly to the Archives of Internal Medicine's page shows this important tidbit: "Findings from observational studies suggest an inverse association between lactation and premenopausal breast cancer risk, but results are inconsistent, and data from large prospective cohort studies are lacking."
Bible prophecy teachers have exaggerated the strength and power of the beast and the Anti-Christ, instead of teaching Christ’s greatness, and ultimate victory over the enemy. This is displayed throughout scripture, and reveals the consistency of God’s Character. He has always wrought victory over His enemies through HIS PEOPLE: Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Samson, Jonah, Gideon, Ruth, etc. I also believe that the book of Revelation could not possibly have been written for this final generation only. For us to believe that the book of Revelation was written for one generation is ludicrous. We cannot ignore the types and shadows throughout the Bible, and what has possibly already been fulfilled throughout history. After all, they call Him the Lamb of God on the throne. We know that this is not a literal little lamb sitting on a throne. He has also been called a lion, so it is important to interpret these things with correct theological application. There are terrible things happening on the earth, but terrible things have been happening throughout history. There are also wonderful things happening on the earth, performed by God in order to reach the world that Jesus died for.
Pumpstation/Breastfeeding
How wonderful it is! But hey, kindly check this site. http://www.pumpstation.com. Our mission is to nurture, support and empower all mothers with compassionate service, quality information and outstanding products. We serve as a breastfeeding resource center that educates, guides and encourages each mother as she learns to care for herself.
Abigail