Breastfeeding can delay the onset of breast cancer

Spanish research published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing claims the onset of breast cancer can be delayed by up to a decade by breastfeeding for over six months – but only in non-smokers.

 

The study of 504 breast cancer patients aged 19 to 91 found non-smoking women who breastfed for at least six months were diagnosed on average at the age of 68.4. This was more than a decade later than non-smokers who had not breastfed or had done so for less than the six months.

 

The research found female smokers who breastfed saw no benefits in terms of the age they were diagnosed.

 

"Based on these findings, the incidence of this disease could be reduced from 6.3% to 2.7% if women breastfed their children for more than six months," the authors say.

 

What do you think? Were you surprised by the findings? Has your opinion on breastfeeding been changed?