Dr. Stacia Pfost Interview with Houston Moms: How breastfeeding can help reduce risk of breast cancer

We all know that breastfeeding offers an abundance of perks for both mom and baby. Beyond bonding, breastfeeding helps babies develop a strong immune system and get the nutrients they need to grow with a custom mix of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Moms who breastfeed recover quicker after childbirth and support their long-term health, lowering the risk of developing certain diseases – like breast cancer. 

Today, we are chatting with Dr. Stacia Pfost, breast surgeon at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, to find out more about between breast feeding and breast cancer, as well as what other factors women can control to help lower their breast cancer risks.

• How does breastfeeding reduce your breast cancer risk?
  • When a woman breastfeeds, her body experiences a change in hormones specifically during lactation. 
  • The increase of the hormone prolactin stimulates milk production and delays ovulation. 
  • The delay in ovulation or the return of their menstrual periods leads to a reduction in estrogen, a hormone that had been shown to be involved with the growth of certain types of breast cancer. 
• Can breastfeeding reduce a woman’s risk for any additional cancers? 
  • Yes, by delaying ovulation and reducing a woman’s exposure to estrogen, breastfeeding can also help lower your risk of ovarian cancer.
• Is there a certain amount of time that you need to breastfeed to get these benefits?
  • There isn’t a set number of months that guarantees a woman’s protection from breast cancer, but according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, studies show that the longer you breastfeed, the more benefits you build over time. 
  • Think of it like adding layers of protection with each passing month. And, that benefit can add up even when spread across multiple babies with breaks in between. 
  • The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life to provide health benefits to both the mother and the baby. 
• For women who are unable to breastfeed or choose not to breastfeed, how can they reduce their risk of breast cancer?
  • Not breastfeeding does not mean you’re destined to develop breast cancer.
  • There are many other factors that can affect an individual's risk of getting breast cancer, including age, race, diet, and family history. 
  • Screening and early detection are still the most effective ways to combat breast cancer. 
• Cancer screening recommendations can change often; can you remind us of what the current recommendations are for mammograms?
  • Women should understand their individual risk, as some women with a family history of breast cancer or certain other risk factors should start routine breast cancer screenings early and take other preventative measures before age 40.
  • At the age of 40, women should have a mammogram once a year, depending on their individual breast cancer risk.
  • It is important to discuss with a physician your individual risk factors, including age, menopausal status, and family history to determine your screening needs and to determine if additional screenings including annual ultrasounds and MRI screenings are recommended. 

CALL TO ACTION:

• Ensure you are getting your annual mammogram beginning at age 40, or earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer
• Regular exercise, limiting alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI) can reduce the risk of breast cancer.