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According to WebMD a study published just today shows that there is a direct association between breast cancer and breast feeding. It seems those  who breast feed for at least 6 months have a lower incidence of breast cancer.

The researchers, who included Amanda Phipps, MPH, of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, pooled data from two breast cancer studies that together included nearly 2,500 women aged 55-79 in Washington state. The group included 1,140 women who had had breast cancer.

Breast feeding for at least 6 months seemed to reduce three types of breast cancer:

•    Estrogen-sensitive breast cancer which is the most common type of breast cancer
•    HER2-positive breast cancer
•    Triple negative” breast cancer which is not HER2 positive, and is not sensitive to estrogen or progesterone – women who had breastfed had a 50% reduction in triple negative breast cancer.
Although we still don’t have conclusive evidence that breastfeeding will reduce breast cancer so far the research would indicated that it is in fact important. Other research has also shown that starting menstruation before age 13 is associated with an increased risk of Her2 breast cancer, and starting menopause after age 55 has a higher rate of estrogen sensitive breast cancer.

More research is certainly going to occur as researchers continue to try to understand breast cancer, the risks, how to lower that risk, and possible cures.

Today there are more treatment options than ever before. With ongoing research there is promising new treatments in the horizon. Remember to do regular self breast examinations and to have regular mammograms. Early detection is key to breast cancer survival rates.