Did you know that breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer? While the general public knows the benefits of breastfeeding for infants such as, “fewer episodes of diarrhea, ear infections, and lower respiratory infections, and a lower risk of sudden infant death, diabetes, asthma and childhood obesity,” many do not know the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother (1). Not only does breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk for some cancers, but also type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months of life with continued breastfeeding after the introduction of solid foods for 1 year or longer” (2). The longer the child is breastfed, there is a greater reduction in risk for both the child and mother.
Several biological mechanisms have been proposed about the protective effect of breastfeeding on breast cancer risk. Breastfeeding is linked to hormonal shifts and changes in the molecular histology of the breast, potentially lowering the risk of breast cancer in individuals. Nulliparity, or the absence of childbirth, is a recognized risk factor for luminal-type breast cancer. Both pregnancy and breastfeeding contribute to a reduction in the total number of lifetime menstrual cycles, thereby minimizing exposure to certain hormones linked to an elevated risk of luminal-type breast cancer (1). Research indicates that breastfeeding promotes the differentiation of mammary cells after pregnancy. Differentiated cells are less prone to developing cancerous characteristics.
While a majority of infants initially receive some breast milk, most do not exclusively breastfeed or sustain breastfeeding for the recommended duration. Only one in four infants remains exclusively breastfed at the age of 6 months, even though four out of five infants start with breastfeeding. Additionally, significant disparities exist among various groups when it comes to breastfeeding practices. These significant disparities are being worked on.
There are many reasons why women in first world countries stop breastfeeding or choose not to do so. A perceived barrier to breastfeeding is insufficient milk supply. Mothers perceive that their milk supply is insufficient for their infant and not providing enough nutrients. Another barrier is nipple pain and difficulties with latching, which are both discouraging to a trying mother. Another barrier is lack of professional support. First time mothers have little to none breastfeeding exposure and rely on a professional team for proper education on breastfeeding and latching. Many hospitals in the United States are not Baby-Friendly designated. This designation is an initiative made by the WHO/UNICEF as the global standard for hospital care to support breastfeeding, with the Ten Steps to Sucessful breastfeeding at its core (3).
The CDC states there is a significance in hospital practices that influence the rate of breastfeeding, and how long babies are breastfed. According to the CDC, “hospitals can Implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and work towards achieving Baby-Friendly designation, use CDC’s Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey customized reports to improve maternity care practices that support breastfeeding, and work with doctors, nurses, lactation care providers, and organizations to create networks that provide clinic-based, at-home, or community breastfeeding support for mothers” (4). In addition mothers and their families can talk to their healthcare providers about breastfeeding plans, and ask about how to get help with breastfeeding (4).
In conclusion, breastfeeding plays a crucial role in promoting infant health and well-being and contributing to long-term benefits for both mothers and babies.
References:
Anstey, E. H., Shoemaker, M. L., Barrera, C. M., O'Neil, M. E., Verma, A. B., & Holman, D. M. (2017). Breastfeeding and Breast Cancer Risk Reduction: Implications for Black Mothers. American journal of preventive medicine, 53(3S1), S40–S46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2017.04.024
Stordal B. (2023). Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer: A call for action in high-income countries with low rates of breastfeeding. Cancer medicine, 12(4), 4616–4625. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5288
Did you know that breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer? While the general public knows the benefits of breastfeeding for infants such as, “fewer episodes of diarrhea, ear infections, and lower respiratory infections, and a lower risk of sudden infant death, diabetes, asthma and childhood obesity,” many do not know the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother (1). Not only does breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk for some cancers, but also type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months of life with continued breastfeeding after the introduction of solid foods for 1 year or longer” (2). The longer the child is breastfed, there is a greater reduction in risk for both the child and mother.
Several biological mechanisms have been proposed about the protective effect of breastfeeding on breast cancer risk. Breastfeeding is linked to hormonal shifts and changes in the molecular histology of the breast, potentially lowering the risk of breast cancer in individuals. Nulliparity, or the absence of childbirth, is a recognized risk factor for luminal-type breast cancer. Both pregnancy and breastfeeding contribute to a reduction in the total number of lifetime menstrual cycles, thereby minimizing exposure to certain hormones linked to an elevated risk of luminal-type breast cancer (1). Research indicates that breastfeeding promotes the differentiation of mammary cells after pregnancy. Differentiated cells are less prone to developing cancerous characteristics.
While a majority of infants initially receive some breast milk, most do not exclusively breastfeed or sustain breastfeeding for the recommended duration. Only one in four infants remains exclusively breastfed at the age of 6 months, even though four out of five infants start with breastfeeding. Additionally, significant disparities exist among various groups when it comes to breastfeeding practices. These significant disparities are being worked on.
There are many reasons why women in first world countries stop breastfeeding or choose not to do so. A perceived barrier to breastfeeding is insufficient milk supply. Mothers perceive that their milk supply is insufficient for their infant and not providing enough nutrients. Another barrier is nipple pain and difficulties with latching, which are both discouraging to a trying mother. Another barrier is lack of professional support. First time mothers have little to none breastfeeding exposure and rely on a professional team for proper education on breastfeeding and latching. Many hospitals in the United States are not Baby-Friendly designated. This designation is an initiative made by the WHO/UNICEF as the global standard for hospital care to support breastfeeding, with the Ten Steps to Sucessful breastfeeding at its core (3).
The CDC states there is a significance in hospital practices that influence the rate of breastfeeding, and how long babies are breastfed. According to the CDC, “hospitals can Implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and work towards achieving Baby-Friendly designation, use CDC’s Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey customized reports to improve maternity care practices that support breastfeeding, and work with doctors, nurses, lactation care providers, and organizations to create networks that provide clinic-based, at-home, or community breastfeeding support for mothers” (4). In addition mothers and their families can talk to their healthcare providers about breastfeeding plans, and ask about how to get help with breastfeeding (4).
In conclusion, breastfeeding plays a crucial role in promoting infant health and well-being and contributing to long-term benefits for both mothers and babies.
References:
Anstey, E. H., Shoemaker, M. L., Barrera, C. M., O'Neil, M. E., Verma, A. B., & Holman, D. M. (2017). Breastfeeding and Breast Cancer Risk Reduction: Implications for Black Mothers. American journal of preventive medicine, 53(3S1), S40–S46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2017.04.024
https://blogs.cdc.gov/cancer/2019/08/01/breastfeeding-for-cancer-prevention/
Stordal B. (2023). Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer: A call for action in high-income countries with low rates of breastfeeding. Cancer medicine, 12(4), 4616–4625. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.5288
https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/breastfeeding2015/index.html