A report published jointly by the United States Cancer Research Institute and the World Cancer Research Fund on the occasion of International Cancer Week breast feeding, points again the benefits of breastfeeding on the future health of the mother. This report shows that each 5-month period spent breastfeeding reduces the risk of breastfeeding by 2%. breast cancer during menopause. To reach this conclusion, the researchers looked at 18 studies on lactation and breastfeeding.
Reduced exposure to estrogen
This report which can be downloaded here, offers several possible explanations for the protective effects of breastfeeding. But the main one is that breastfeeding reduces exposure to estrogen, hormones linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.
In addition, after breastfeeding the breast “gets rid” of a number of cells, among which there are cells with damaged DNA, which can generate tumors.
Read also :Baby health: good reasons to breastfeed
The report also suggests that lactation may change gene expression in breast cells in such a way as to have a “lasting impact” on the risk of cancer development.
Like the World Health Organization (WHO), the Cancer Research Institute recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for up to 6 months before introducing other foods.
Read also :
Breastfeeding would protect women from cardiovascular disease
2 in 3 babies are breastfed at birth