Breastfeeding lowers breast cancer risk but does not eliminate it — MyJoyOnline
Breastfeeding may somewhat reduce the risk of breast cancer, but it does not provide complete protection against the disease, Beatrice Wiafe Addai, president of Breast Care International, said during a webinar for West African journalists. She stressed that a woman can develop breast cancer during pregnancy, lactation, or shortly after giving birth.
As MyJoyOnline reports, the doctor urged people not to attribute persistent changes in the breast solely to milk production, a blocked duct, or mastitis. According to her, a lump or other suspicious symptoms require timely medical examination.
Moderate risk reduction
According to data presented by Wiafe Addai, a review by the International Agency for Research on Cancer indicates that the risk may decrease by about 2% for every additional five months of breastfeeding over a woman’s lifetime. Another estimate cited suggests a reduction of about 4% for 12 months of cumulative breastfeeding.
The possible protective effect is linked to changes in hormonal exposure and breast tissue during pregnancy and lactation. At the same time, changes during this period, including increased tissue density, engorgement, lumpiness, mastitis, and milk-filled cysts, may make it more difficult to detect suspicious lumps.
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Symptoms and diagnosis
Among the signs that require attention, Wiafe Addai named a lump in the breast or armpit, unusual nipple discharge, nipple retraction or flattening, skin dimpling, ulcers, and changes in the shape or size of the breast.
According to her, breastfeeding women should not postpone examination of suspicious symptoms until lactation ends. Ultrasound is often the first imaging method for a palpable mass during pregnancy or breastfeeding; mammography may also be used when clinically indicated. If necessary, a biopsy is performed to establish a diagnosis.
If cancer is confirmed, decisions regarding treatment and breastfeeding should be made individually, taking into account the type and stage of the disease, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal, or targeted treatment. Some medicines can pass into breast milk, so breastfeeding may sometimes need to be interrupted or stopped.
