Childbirth and Breastfeeding Boost Immune Protection

Quick Smiles:

• Australian scientists reveal breastfeeding and childbirth lower breast cancer risk.
• T cells, key immune defenders, are more plentiful in mothers who breastfeed.
• Each child and months of breastfeeding further decrease breast cancer odds.

Scientists in Australia have uncovered multiple lines of evidence showing that having children and breastfeeding play significant roles in reducing the risk of breast cancer for women.

Historical accounts date back 300 years, noting higher breast cancer rates among women without children, such as nuns, and modern research has confirmed this pattern.

“Pregnancy and breastfeeding leave behind long-lived protective immune cells in the breast and the body, and these cells help to reduce risk and improve defense against breast cancer, particularly triple-negative breast cancer,” explained Professor Sherene Loi, a medical oncologist and research lead.

Triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms, lacks three common cell receptors and is often found in younger women.

A recent study detailed that women who had children and breastfed had more T cells in their breast tissue—cells known to defend against cancer—compared to those who had not.

Remarkably, these increased levels of T cells persisted in breast tissue for years after breastfeeding.

Testing in mice confirmed that groups who had reared or weaned pups developed significantly smaller tumors, and removing T cells led to unchecked cancer progression.

The scientists also analyzed studies totaling 1,000 women with triple-negative breast cancer, finding that those who breastfed not only fared better but their tumors showed greater immune activity.

“What we found is that women who had breastfed did better than those who had not breastfed, and their tumors actually had more immune cells … suggesting there was ongoing immune activation and regulation from the body against their breast cancer,” said Professor Loi.

Data suggests each child a woman has lowers her breast cancer risk by 7%, and every five months of breastfeeding adds another 2% reduction.

With one in eight women at risk, these findings shine a hopeful light for all mothers.

If you found this research heartening, share it with your loved ones to spread the word about natural ways to protect women’s health!

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