You’ve probably heard of the Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon Day. They coordinate fundraising to provide research, prevention programs and support regarding breast and gynaecological cancer
On the Pink Ribbon website, there’s a tab dedicated to Women and Cancer, and it talks about different kinds of cancer risk factors.
I was really surprised and disappointed to note that breastfeeding doesn’t appear to be mentioned anywhere on the Pink Ribbon Day website, as a protective factor against breast cancer. Increasing age, family history, genetic mutations, exposure to female hormones, obesity and excess alcohol consumption all make the list, but not breastfeeding.
There’s a ton of evidence to demonstrate relationship between breastfeeding and breast cancer, specifically the fact that the longer you breastfeed, the lower your risk of breast cancer is.
I checked the Cancer Council’s website to see if they talk about the relationship. They have a position statement titled “Overweight, Obesity and Cancer Prevention that mentions “breastfeeding convincingly decreases a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer”. This one obscurely-titled position statement is the only spot I can find this limited amount of information, and it’s dated June 2008. I KNOW more information has become available since then.
The Breast Cancer Network Australia are a separate organisation in Australia, and I can’t see any mention of breastfeeding on their website either. Cancer Australia offer a measly “Breastfeeding for a total of 12 months or longer can slightly reduce your breast cancer risk.” However they have a calculator where you enter information about yourself and are given a calculated risk of breast cancer, which takes into consideration how many months you have breastfed. So while Cancer Australia claim that breastfeeding may slightly reduce your breast cancer risk, it appears that they still feel the reduction is significant.
If I was an organisation dedicated to raising awareness about preventing breast cancer, and there was something that “convincingly decreases a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer”, it would form a key part of my campaign. But it’s barely mentioned. I can think of a few reasons why, but no good ones come to mind.
Obesity is listed as a risk factor, and there are people who can’t, won’t or don’t want to lose weight. Excess alcohol is mentioned, and there are people who can’t, won’t or don’t want to drink less.
My husband is one of four kids. His 3 siblings and both of his parents struggle with obesity (although miraculously, my husband doesn’t). This increases the risk of obesity in my children. I won’t deny this risk, and although it sucks, accepting it means I can try to do something about it. As a family, we focus on healthy eating habits and regular exercise because I believe it’s especially important in our situation. Our circumstances don’t mean our kids are doomed to be overweight, and my steps towards good health don’t mean they are guaranteed to stay in a healthy weight range, but we will still do what we can.
Feelings are important, and I know there are people who feel triggered, upset and confronted when they learn about the relationship between breastfeeding and breast cancer. But are feelings more important than facts? If I was at a greater risk of sustaining breast cancer than the average woman, I’d want to know about it. Would you?
For information about breastfeeding and breast cancer, please see this link, which contains a comprehensive list of studies that demonstrate the relationship.
I’m a breast cancer survivor- diagnosed at 21- and have been feeding my son for almost two years with my remaining breast. My oncologist told me breastfeeding reduces my risk of the cancer returning in that breast, so I plan to breastfeed as long as possible!