Does breastfeeding affect women’s risk of cancer?

Well, yes it does. For every five months a woman breastfeeds, her risk of developing breast cancer drops by 2%.

Researchers believe that breastfeeding protects women against cancer by stopping their periods and lowering their lifetime exposure to the hormone oestrogen.

Breastfeeding may also help to remove cells with damaged DNA that may otherwise lead to malignancy.

Researchers at the American Institute for Cancer Research analysed 18 studies that examined breastfeeding, of which 13 probed the effect of the length of time spent doing so.

The report also found that carrying excess weight after menopause increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, yet it’s protective while women are still fertile. For both pre and postmenopausal women, alcohol increases their risk of breast cancer and exercise reduces it, the report adds.

Study author Alice Bender said: “It isn’t always possible for mothers to breastfeed but for those who can, know that breastfeeding can offer cancer protection for both the mother and the child.”

Babies who are breastfed are also less likely to gain weight in later life, the study found.

SELF HELP

If you think you have an STI, the earlier you’re tested, the sooner treatment can be given if it’s needed. You cannot tell whether someone has an infection just by looking, so it’s important to get a check-up if you’ve had unprotected sex.