A recent study has stated that women who were breastfed as babies have a reduced risk of developing breast cancer. According to the study, women who were breastfed as infants ‘had a 17 percent decrease in breast cancer risk’ note one member of the study team, Hazel B. Nichols. She further stated that, ‘we did not observe this reduction when we looked specifically among first-born women.’

The researchers interviewed over 2016 women between 29 and 60 years old who had breast cancer and 1,960 in the same age group who didn’t. The survey revealed a lower breast cancer risk among women who had older siblings regardless of their mother’s age when she gave birth.

The study team noted as well that additional studies were needed to determine if the length of breastfeeding also impacted the reduction in the risk of developing breast cancer among women who were breastfed.

The article published in Epidemiology, a medical journal suggests that there may also be a link between the ‘levels of environmental contaminants in breast milk and breast cancer’. Previous studies have also indicated that there be well be some connection to contaminants in the environment and breast cancer.

As a firstborn daughter and child, this is not great news to me personally. However, it is important for a lot of women and as a woman I’m glad to know that breastfeeding may help ward off breast cancer for our daughters.

OK, it may seem like I’m on a breastfeeding promotion, but I just find these bit of information when I am surfing the Internet for news. But seriously, with all the information out there, if it is possible to breastfeed – I say go for it. The breast really is best!

However, if you are unable to breastfeed for whatever reason, don’t beat yourself up; just continue taking care of your baby the best way you can. Luckily there are lots of baby formulas on the market fortified with nutrients found only in breast milk.