Does breastfeeding protect you from breast cancer?

Breast milk has a very good reputation when it comes to taking care of the baby's health, in addition, there are those who claim that it also has a positive impact on the mother's health, reducing her risk of suffering from breast cancer. Let's talk about breastfeeding.  

Breast milk is pure gold, a very powerful food Stop Protect the baby of infectious and chronic diseases. It is perhaps the best gift a mother can give to her children, but to nourish the life of the newborn it can also mean significant benefits.

Is it true that breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast cancer?

The answer is overwhelming: Yes. However, we have to mention the conditions under which this composition of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, digestive enzymes, hormones and antibodies¹ takes on such relevance in the life of a woman who becomes a mother.

The benefits of breastfeeding are present in the long term, for Mother, When breastfeeding for more than 1 year². Although the benefits of breastfeeding are not lost if this cycle is not completed, its effect is minor, at least related to the risk of developing breast cancer over a lifetime.

Now, I'm sure you're wondering how it is that making the decision to breastfeed (with the help of a health professional) could benefit you; here's what I'll tell you:

• Producing milk limits the ability of breast cells to act abnormally. So breastfeeding can improve both your life and that of your baby.
• Most women have fewer menstrual cycles². There is less exposure to hormones, because ovulation is interrupted.
• Many women's lifestyles often change while they breastfeed, they take much more care of themselves. Breastfeeding is love turned into food. Yes, it's also an act of self-love.

Now, let's not lose sight of the fact that cancer is a multifactorial disease And, although Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of breast cancer, It's not an infallible solution.

Enjoy this time, mom.

References:

[1] What is the composition of breast milk? (s.f.). Fetal Medicine Barcelona. Recovered from https://inatal.org/el-parto/lactancia/67-la-leche-materna/396-cual-es-la-composicion-de-la-leche-materna.html

[2] History of breastfeeding. (October 20, 2014). Breastcancer.org. Recovered from https://www.breastcancer.org/es/riesgo/factores/antec_lactancia