Breastfeeding reduces risk of breast cancer recurrence

Study finds tumor type may also influence outcomes

breastfeeding image
Breast-feeding may reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence, and death. Image by Chris Alban Hansen.

Women diagnosed with breast cancer who previously breastfed their babies had a 30 percent overall decreased risk of the disease recurring, according to a new study.

Breast feeding for six months or more was associated with even greater protection from tumour recurrence. In addition to the reduced risk of recurrence, the researchers found a 28 percent reduced risk of dying from the disease among women who breast-fed.

Sources and more information
  • History of breastfeeding associated with reduced risk of breast cancer recurrence, eurekalert, 28-APR-2015.
  • Breastfeeding, PAM50 Tumor Subtype, and Breast Cancer Prognosis and Survival, JNCI J Natl Cancer Inst (2015) 107 (7): djv087 doi: 10.1093/jnci/djv087.

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