Breaking news from the Nurses Health Study! Breast-feeding baby for even 3 months reduces risk by 59 percent for women who have a previously diagnosed sister or mother.
That's a huge number and a whopper of a benefit: Not only does the baby gain antibodies and nutrients, but the new mother also reduces her risk of developing breast cancer in the future.
Become proactive!
This is exciting news, since women with a family history of breast cancer need to be proactive in initiating ways to reduce their risk. While no one should choose to have a baby for the purpose of reducing her risk, if you are planning to have a baby, it's well worth your while to give serious thought to breast-feeding.
Scientists hypothesize that the reason lactation reduces risk is because it calms down the inflammation that can occur within the ducts of the breast. Nearly all breast cancers begin in these ducts.
Take these other proactive measures to lower your risk:
- Get regular exercise (power walking 3 times a week for an hour is ideal)
- Eat a low-fat diet (rich in green and orange veggies)
- Avoid smoking (including secondary smoke)
- Limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink a day
- Have your doctor check your vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D3) level
