How exactly does breast feeding lower the risk of breast cancer?

Question

They say it lowers the risk, but how does breast feeding your baby lower the risk of developing breast cancer?

Answer 1

It is certainly considered a breast cancer risk factor not to have breastfed a baby, but so is not having any children at all, or having them late.

Most people who tick those boxes won't get breast cancer though, and plenty of women who had children young and breastfed them get breast cancer.

Results of studies vary: two reports, published in 1999 and 1997, showed that pre-menopausal women had a 50% lower risk of breast cancer if they had breastfed. Other studies show no conclusive link between breastfeeding and reduced risk of breast cancer.

.The women who get bc who have not had children are included in the never breastfed statistic.

One theory is that breastfeeding reduces exposure to the female hormone oestrogen, which in turn reduces the risk of oestrogen driven breast cancer. A majority of, but not all, breast cancer cases are oestrogen driven. Breastfeeding causes hormonal changes and delays the onset of ovulation after pregnancy, reducing the total of a woman's oestrogen exposure over her lifetime..

There is also some evidence that breastfeeding causes physical changes in breast cells that may make them more resistant to the mutations that can lead to cancer

Apparently in the studies that showed a link, the length of time a woman breastfed for was significant - the longer the better.

Answer 2

I think it's because you're using the breasts in the manner for which they were designed.... I fed three of my own and a set of twins by providing for them.... I'm sixty and my mammo's are clear.... breast feeding in the Sixties was a little odd, but I was a 'flower child' and one of the original 'recycle/greenies'..... at that time, if you did NOT breast feed, you were given a shot to make the breasts 'dry up'... I thought that was as UN-NATURAL as heck, since normally, if a woman's child died, she'd have to put up with the breast filling, then slowly getting the idea that it wasn't going to be emptied and stopping milk production, OR, there would be another child somewhere that would need fed *wet nurse....... I think the huge number of cases of breast cancer in the same age group as mine are because of that danged shot!!!... no proof, just intuition speaking here..... nowadays, do women still get that shot?.... betcha not..... betcha now you just have to put up with the discomfort until the body stops....yes or no?....

Answer 3

I LOST AN AUNT WITH BREAST CANCER 16 YEARS AGO, SHE BREAST FED ALL THREE OF HER CHILDREN, IF YOU ARE 50 YOU SHOULD HAVE A MAMMOGRAPH X-RAY EVERY THREE YEARS, SOONER IF YOU HAVE HISTORY OF THIS DREADFUL AFFLICTION, BUT THEY SAY 1 OUT ORF THREE PEOPLE WILL CONTRACT CANCER, CHOOSE WHERE IT HAPPENS IN THE HUMAN BODY, BREAST FEEDING IS GOOD OR BETTER FOR BABIES BECAUSE IT INCREASES THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN THEIR BODIES,FAR MORE THAN BOTTLE FED.

Answer 4

I believe it is beneficial for the baby and the mother. It brings a sense of well-being to all. Stress relief is a great cancer prevention tool. And, yes, it pumps up the baby's immune system when the baby needs it the most. Cancer is immune system connected, so a good immune system cannot hurt.

Answer 5

breast feeding prevent the cell from monthly effects of hormones, this effect make the cells multiple, divide and change..can you imagine every month for something like 20 years,...so when the women is breast feeding she rest the cells for almost a month/baby.. saving them from getting mad and forming cancer out of order..Dr.Hanan

Answer 6

By breast feeding the mother is extracted the absorbed hormon from her body and allow to enter fresh product to her body. It takes circulation of Hormon body and thus prevent from breast cancer.

Answer 7

its to do with hormones. but its no guarantee there must be women who have breast fed and have breast cancer.

Answer 8

Because it`s natures way ,not artificial,your baby will be less at risk of infections and desease to.

Answer 9

i heard that when you dont breast feed, something can happen with the milk that isnt being used. When its drying up it can leave something behind that can cause lumps or something. I cant reallyremember, sorry.

Answer 10

IT HAS TO DO WITH THE CHEMISTRY, THE INTERNET SEARCH MIGHT SHED SOME INPUT ON THIS SUBJECT