Breastfeeding and breast cancer: what you need to know

Can breastfeeding prevent cancer? Can you continue breastfeeding after a cancer diagnosis? Each patient is unique. Therefore, the best course of action is to seek professional medical advice. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting cancer research and the patient journey. If you’re curious about the relationship between breastfeeding and breast cancer, here are some helpful facts.

Protection

Many studies have shown that breastfeeding protects women from developing breast cancer. Women who breastfeed have fewer menstrual cycles, which reduces estrogen exposure to their breast cells. According to the studies, the longer breastfeeding lasted — five consecutive months or more — the greater the protective effect.

Possibilities

Patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are often advised not to breastfeed. Depending on the type of treatment, breastfeeding may even become impossible. For example, the substances used in chemotherapy and hormone therapy can pass into breast milk and pose a risk to the baby.

On the other hand, many women can still breastfeed after undergoing a lumpectomy or unilateral mastectomy (the removal of one breast). Additionally, breastfeeding is considered safe during external beam radiation therapy.

For more information on detecting or living with breast cancer, visit breastcancernow.org.