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Breastfeeding and Breast Cancer: A Natural Way to Lower Your Risk
Did you know that breastfeeding can help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer? If you have a family history of breast cancer or want to take proactive steps toward better health, breastfeeding may offer an extra layer of protection. Here's how it works and why this natural process benefits both you and your baby.
How Breastfeeding Reduces Breast Cancer Risk
Breastfeeding changes your hormone levels. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, women experience a break from their menstrual cycle. This hormonal shift means less exposure to estrogen, which has been linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. The longer a woman breastfeeds, the more protective the effect.
The benefit is even stronger if you breastfeed for 12 months or longer. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, breastfeeding for a year or more can significantly reduce your lifetime risk of breast cancer.
In addition, breastfeeding mothers often adopt healthier lifestyles—limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking, and focusing on better nutrition—all of which also help reduce cancer risk.
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Additional Health Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding isn’t just good for your health—it’s great for your baby, too. The CDC recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months and continuing while introducing solid foods until at least one year old.
Benefits for babies include reduced risk of:
- Obesity
- Asthma
- Type 1 diabetes
- Ear and respiratory infections
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Gastrointestinal infections
For mothers, breastfeeding offers protection beyond breast cancer. It can lower your risk of:
- Ovarian cancer
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
What If You’ve Already Had Breast Cancer?
Breastfeeding after breast cancer depends on the type of treatment you’ve received. Women who’ve had a double mastectomy cannot breastfeed. However, if only one breast was affected, you may still be able to nurse with the other.
If you underwent radiation or chemotherapy, talk with your doctor to determine whether breastfeeding is safe and possible. Formula feeding or donor milk may be considered in some cases.
Can’t Breastfeed? Other Ways to Lower Breast Cancer Risk
If breastfeeding isn’t an option, there are still steps you can take to reduce your breast cancer risk:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid smoking
- Limit alcohol intake
- Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Stay on top of screenings and mammograms, especially if you have a family history
Partner with BASS Medical Group for Breast Health
Whether you're breastfeeding, planning a pregnancy, or simply want to take preventive steps, BASS Medical Group is here to help. Our experienced providers offer:
- Annual wellness exams
- Breast cancer screenings (mammograms, breast MRI, ultrasounds)
- Breast surgery consultations
- Obstetrics and gynecology services
Take control of your breast health today. Schedule your appointment with BASS Medical Group in Walnut Creek or any of our Greater Bay Area locations.
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