Studies found that there are several possible ways in which high breastfeeding can reduce risk to breast cancer.
- Breastfeeding lowers the levels of some cancer-related hormones in the mother’s body, thereby reducing the risk to cancer.
- During breastfeeding, menstruation reduces and often stops (amenorrhea). Lactation induces a period of infertility. This decreases lifetime exposure to menstrual cycles and may be protective against some cancers. This is the general mechanism through which lactation could plausibly protect against cancer.
- At the end of breastfeeding, the body gets rid of any cells in the breast which may have DNA damage. This reduces the risk of breast cancer developing in the future.
The evidence indicates that being breastfed protects infants and children against overweight and obesity. The WCRF report points out that this could be because exclusively breastfed children show different growth patterns from those of formula-fed infants. Babies who are breastfed consume less total energy and less protein than formula-fed infants. It is possible that the bioactive factors in human milk could modulate energy metabolism, a process in which leptin (present in human milk but not formula) may be implicated.
Alternatively, the effect of increased protein intake and plasma insulin concentrations in formula-fed babies could stimulate fat deposition and early development of fat cells.
This protective effect of breastfeeding against overweight and obesity amongst infants and children is particularly significant in later life because many overweight children tend to grow up to be obese adults.
Source: Adapted from Dr. Tee E Siong, "Breastfeeding Can Help Prevent Cancer", The Star, May 31, 2009.
Source: Adapted from Dr. Tee E Siong, "Breastfeeding Can Help Prevent Cancer", The Star, May 31, 2009.
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