By Amanda Benko | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Breastfeeding is a natural process that benefits the baby and the mom. In addition to its nutritional benefits, research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has shown that breastfeeding is vital in reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer among mothers. Breastfeeding reduces a woman’s exposure to estrogen, a hormonally active chemical known for its ability to impact the risk of breast cancer. Prolactin, an endocrine hormone released in response to breastfeeding, reduces estrogen production, making it more challenging to grow malignant cells inside the mammary gland. Additionally, breastfeeding promotes cellular differentiation inside the mammary glands, which means this decreases the likelihood of cellular abnormalities that may lead to the start of cancer.

Ovarian cancer is a severe and sometimes fatal disease that affects women worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found a link between the act of nursing and reduced ovarian cancer risk (Johnson, 2021). The risk and association between breastfeeding and ovarian cancer may have to do with the fact that women who are breastfeeding tend not to menstruate, or if they do, they have lighter periods. Lack of menstrual cycles can reduce the ovaries’ total exposure to estrogen and other hormones that can potentially promote the evolution of ovarian cancer. (CDC, 2019).

If you have not had children or cannot breastfeed, there are many other ways to reduce your cancer risk. Please check out the NIH or talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk, including diet and medication.

References

Anstey, E. H., Shoemaker, M. L., Barrera, C. M., O’Neil, M. E., Verma, A. B., & Holman, D. M. (2017, September). Breastfeeding and breast cancer risk reduction: Implications for black mothers. American journal of preventive medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6069526/

Anstey, E., & Kincaid, G. (2019, August 1). Breastfeeding for cancer prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://blogs.cdc.gov/cancer/2019/08/01/breastfeeding-for-cancer-prevention/

MD Anderson Cancer Center, & Cordeiro, B. (2014, October 9). Breastfeeding lowers your breast cancer risk. MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/breastfeeding-breast-cancer-prevention.h19-1589046.html