Breastfeeding Benefits Both Mom and Baby
Breastfeeding is already often celebrated for its benefits to a baby’s health, but did you know that it can also benefit moms in some pretty incredible ways? That’s right–breastfeeding has the awesome hidden potential of possibly reducing the risk of both breast cancer and cardiovascular disease! For women who are juggling the challenges that come with childbirth and the postpartum period, this is one of those rare win-win situations that benefits both mom and baby.
So, how does it work? Let’s dive right into some of the research studies that suggest that breastfeeding prevents cancer and heart disease in mothers.
Studies Show That Breastfeeding Prevents Cancer
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC), breastfeeding is linked to a reduced risk of breast cancer. While the reasons are still being explored, researchers think that it may be connected to the hormonal changes that occur while nursing. These changes may delay the return of your menstrual cycle, in turn reducing exposure to a surge in hormones, like estrogen, which are associated with breast cancer risk.
There is also a theory from the team at MD Anderson that breastfeeding helps support the shedding of breast tissue after lactation, which could help the body clear out cells with potential DNA damage. It’s sort of like a reset button for your breast tissue!
But there is more. Research is also being done into how breastfeeding could possibly reduce the chance of ovarian cancer as well. By lowering the number of ovulations a woman experiences during her lifetime, breastfeeding may help reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, just as it does with breast cancer. With almost 20,000 women a year being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, this could be possibly a game-changer for women’s health. While more research is needed, these findings provide hope for yet another powerful way breastfeeding supports long-term well-being.
While research continues into this topic, the results seen so far have been quite positive. We are excited to see what future insights will be revealed about how breastfeeding influences cancer prevention, and we bet you are, too!
Protecting the Heart: How Breastfeeding Benefits Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular disease is actually one of the leading causes of death among women in the United States. That means it is great to hear that breastfeeding might offer a bit of heart-smart protection. A review published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that women who breastfed had a lower risk of both heart disease and stroke compared to those who didn’t.
Breastfeeding also helps to boost a mother’s long-term health by helping regulate various bodily functions, from blood pressure and cholesterol to glucose levels and more–all factors that can impact heart health. That means breastfeeding isn’t just about keeping your baby healthy in the immediate but also about protecting your heart for years, if not decades, to come!
Empowering Choices
Now, while breastfeeding is always a personal journey, understanding these potential health benefits really does add another layer to the decision. Every drop of breastmilk is a step toward supporting your baby’s growth and possibly even protecting your health. No matter if you’re breastfeeding, pumping, or supplementing, take a moment to celebrate all that you’re doing for your baby and yourself!
We hope you enjoyed this article on how breastfeeding prevents breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. You may also be interested in a previous post with 8 Amazing Facts About Breastfeeding. Please remember to like, comment, and share this blog on social media! Together, we can spread awareness and empower others with valuable health information.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Breastfeeding for cancer prevention. Retrieved from https://blogs.cdc.gov/cancer/2019/08/01/breastfeeding-for-cancer-prevention/
- MD Anderson Cancer Center. (n.d.). Breastfeeding and breast cancer risk: What you should know. https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/cancerwise/breastfeeding-and-breast-cancer-risk-what-you-should-know.h00-159398195.html
- Breast Cancer Now. (n.d.). New research to investigate why breastfeeding reduces the risk of developing breast cancer. https://breastcancernow.org/about-us/media/press-releases/new-research-to-investigate-why-breastfeeding-reduces-the-risk-of-developing-breast-cancer/
- American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Key statistics for ovarian cancer. Retrieved https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/ovarian-cancer/about/key-statistics.html#:~:text=About%2019%2C680%20women%20will%
- 20receive,happened%20since%20the%20mid%2D2000s.
- World Cancer Research Fund. (n.d.). Breastfeeding and cancer. Retrieved from https://www.wcrf.org/preventing-cancer/topics/breastfeeding-and-cancer/
- American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Key statistics for ovarian cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/ovarian-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
- American Heart Association. (2022, January 11). Breastfeeding may reduce mom’s risk of heart disease and stroke. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/news/2022/01/11/breastfeeding-may-reduce-moms-risk-of-heart-disease-and-stroke
- Journal of the American Heart Association. (2018). Breastfeeding and reduced risk of maternal cardiovascular disease: Evidence from a meta-analysis. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/JAHA.118.009191
