New research suggests that breastfeeding may reduce a woman’s risk of breast cancer. The study, led by Professor Sherene Loi at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Australia, found that nursing triggers the production of immune cells in the breast that can detect and fight abnormal cells.
Loi explained that breastfeeding leads to the creation of CD8⁺ T cells, specialized immune cells that remain in the breast tissue for decades after childbirth. These cells act as guards, helping protect the breast from cancer long after nursing has ended. The study also highlighted the natural process of involution, where the breast undergoes remodeling before and after nursing, which stimulates the production of these protective cells.
Researchers studied 1,000 women with triple-negative breast cancer and found that those who breastfed had better outcomes and more of these T cells in their tumors. The study suggests that these cells may have evolved to protect mothers after pregnancy and could also lower breast cancer risk. However, it is important to note that some women cannot produce milk due to a condition called hypolactation.
Loi explained that breastfeeding leads to the creation of CD8⁺ T cells, specialized immune cells that remain in the breast tissue for decades after childbirth. These cells act as guards, helping protect the breast from cancer long after nursing has ended. The study also highlighted the natural process of involution, where the breast undergoes remodeling before and after nursing, which stimulates the production of these protective cells.
Researchers studied 1,000 women with triple-negative breast cancer and found that those who breastfed had better outcomes and more of these T cells in their tumors. The study suggests that these cells may have evolved to protect mothers after pregnancy and could also lower breast cancer risk. However, it is important to note that some women cannot produce milk due to a condition called hypolactation.
