INTRODUCTION:

Mother's milk is well known as the wonder meal for a new-born. Breast milk contains all the nutrients required by the baby's body to develop. Although childbearing is known to protect against breast cancer, whether or not breastfeeding contributes to this protective effect is unclear.

Breastfeeding has often been included in the protective behaviours against breast cancer, but the research has been inconsistent. Looking at the research on breastfeeding and breast cancer risk, it is clear that this has been a difficult area to study. If breastfeeding does lower risk, the level of protection is small and depends on women breastfeeding for a long time. (Debbie Saslow 2013)

LITERATURE REVIEW:

The major study that supports breastfeeding as protective against breast cancer was published in 2002. The researchers analyzed 47 studies in 30 countries; these studies had information about 50,000 women with invasive breast cancers and 97,000 women without breast cancer. The study authors found that the rate of breast cancer diagnoses was slightly lower among women who had breastfed and among women who had breastfed for longer periods of time. (Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer 2002)

For every 12 months of breastfeeding the risk of breast cancer decreased by 4.3%, compared to women who did not breastfeed. Risk decreased by 3.4% for each child breastfed, compared to women who did not breastfeed.

This lower risk did not differ by women's age, race, numbers of births, age at birth of first child, family history, or country of residence. Breastfeeding could account for almost two-thirds of this estimated reduction in breast cancer incidence.

The longer women breast feed the more they are protected against breast cancer. The lack of or short lifetime duration of breastfeeding typical of women in developed countries makes a major contribution to the high incidence of breast cancer in these countries. Breastfeeding offers protection against breast cancer for all women, even those who have their first full-term pregnancy later in life (Charlene Laino 2007)

Breastfeeding protects against BRCA1, but BRCA2 is not associated with breast cancer. BRCA mutation carriers should be advised for the benefit of breastfeeding in terms of reducing breast cancer risk. (Joanne Kotsopoulos et.al 2012)

Scientists have found that new mothers can cut their risk of breast cancer by breastfeeding their babies. Reasons for the fall in the breast cancer risk were lower levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone in the body during breastfeeding. The hormones oestrogen and progesterone have been linked with tumours. (Beezy Marsh).

Breastfeeding can be a challenge after a breast cancer diagnosis. After a double mastectomy, sadly, breastfeeding is impossible. After lumpectomy and radiation, the treated breast usually produces little or no milk, but the other breast usually can make milk normally. The milk from one breast may be enough or you may have to supplement with formula. Some women may choose to use a breast milk donor.

CONCLUSION:

While breastfeeding is widely recognized as important to infant health, more people need to understand that breastfeeding appears to have substantial long-term effects on women’s health as well (Dr. Schwarz). Breastfeeding protects against both types of breast tumors regardless of when a woman first gave birth (Ursin).

REFERENCES:

1. Debbie Saslow (2013)” Can breastfeeding lower breast cancer risk?”

2. Joanne Kotsopoulos et.al (2012)” Breastfeeding and the risk of breast cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers” Breast Cancer Research.

3. Kounteya Sinha (2012)” Breastfeeding reduces breast cancer risk” Charlene Laino (2007)” Breastfeeding Cuts Breast Cancer Risk”

Received on 02.06.2014 Modified on 30.07.2014

Int. J. Adv. Nur. Management 2(3): July-Sept.,2014; Page 183-184