Breastfeeding reduces your exposure to hormones that encourage the growth of breast cancer (Photo credit: AFP)
With an age-adjusted mortality rate of 12.7 per one lakh women and a cancer incidence rate of 25.8 per lakh, breast cancer is the most common among Indians. Within their lifetime, one in eight women will acquire breast cancer of some kind.
Due to several risk factors, including hereditary origins, altered socioeconomic situations, occupational exposure, rotating shift work, and environmental variables, the rapid rise in the prevalence of breast cancer is a new social concern.
According to Dr Anupam Mahanta, senior consultant, Medical Oncology, Ayursundra Super Speciality Hospital, Guwahati, lower age at menarche (below 10 years), later maternal age at first full-term pregnancy (beyond the age of 30-40 years), and short breastfeeding periods are additional risk factors involved.
"Due to the rapid changes that occur in the breasts during lactation, those who are nursing or pumping may discover that they are more conscious of their breast health than they have ever been. Most individuals are aware of benefits of breastfeeding. It is known by all that it offers the best nutrition for babies and numerous health advantages for babies," Dr Mahanta explained.
However, breast feeding's positive effects on a woman's health are less familiar. Very few women are aware that it can reduce a mother's risk of breast and ovarian cancers in addition to lowering her chance for type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure," Dr Mahanta said.
Breastfeeding reduces your exposure to hormones that encourage the growth of breast cancer, she said. "Due to hormonal changes, breastfeeding may cause a delay in your menstrual cycle. Thus, reducing the overall exposure to hormones like oestrogen, which are associated with the formation of cancerous cells," Dr Mahanta said.
Second, the cells mature when one is breastfeeding, and one also loses breast tissue. The cells mature or differentiate during pregnancy and lactation to produce milk. Cells may be able to fight off cancer by using this technique.
"Additionally, during nursing, one loses breast tissue so that your body can get rid of cancerous cells that have been destroyed. When the cells are focused on producing milk, they have less time to do anything else," Dr Mahanta said.
Third, breastfeeding mothers tend to prioritise one's health. One pays closer attention to what they eat and indulge less in smoking or drinking. Most nursing mothers can also lose weight more steadily. These lifestyle choices can lower the risk of breast cancer.
Depending on the technique of treatment, breastfeeding while receiving breast cancer treatment is possible. "Women should stop nursing to lessen blood flow to your breasts before breast cancer surgery.
"This lessens the chance of infection and aids in preventing the build-up of breast milk in the biopsy or surgery regions. If you are nursing, you might wish to pump before surgery and keep milk in the freezer. By doing this, baby can get breast milk duration the course of the procedure and recovery period," Dr Mahanta said.
After surgery, the woman may have to wait a bit before starting nursing again since anaesthesia can harm the baby if it enters the milk. When receiving radiation therapy, depending on the radiation being received and the area of the body being treated, breastfeeding during radiation may be safe.
"It is not advisable to breastfeed during chemotherapy for the sake of baby's safety. Many chemotherapy medications may appear in breast milk in high concentrations and could be potentially harm the baby. The chemo drugs interfere with the normal, healthy division of cells in the body. To determine whether nursing is a healthy option for you and your child while receiving cancer treatment, consult with your specialist doctor," Dr Mahanta said in conclusion.
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