Breastfeeding May Prevent Breast Cancer

[Adsos Letter]

Source: ScienceDaily (Jan. 22, 2009)

Dr. Michael Lisanti and colleagues at Thomas Jefferson University found that extended lactation protects again mammary tumor development.

Women who breastfeed for greater than two years have a significantly reduced risk of developing breast cancer later in life. It has been difficult to determine the cause of this benefit, however, due to the lack of a suitable animal model of extended lactation.

In this study, Sotgia et al demonstrated that mice deficient in caveolin 3, which is expressed in some mammary cells, had a constitutive lactation phenotype. Notably, caveolin 3-deficient mice were also protected against mammary tumor formation and lung metastases. These mice, therefore, provide a model of constitutive lactation that may be used to study the prevention or treatment of human breast cancers.

Dr. Lisanti's group suggest that "a lactation-based therapeutic strategy would provide a more natural and non-toxic approach to the development of novel anti-cancer therapies. In this regard, targeted reduction of Cav-3 levels in the mammary gland may represent a new therapeutic strategy for preventing the onset of human breast cancers."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090122080721.htm

[BrklynLiberal]

1. When I was a member of The La Leche League...many, many years ago..they told us that.

[Ms. Toad]

14. That was my reaction - This is news? n/t

[BrklynLiberal]

18. It is so funny how groups spend a fortune finding out something that

was pretty much known for years if not decades.

[TZ]

22. The money spent on this research is no doubt in funding for

looking for more specific ways to treat cancer. people don't do studies like this just for the fun of it. And if you read the article it shows SPECIFICALLY WHY breast feeding is good-something that we may not have known previously. This is extremely useful research for potential new cancer treatments/prevention.
I wish people would take the time to understand the science behind this type of stuff and WHY IT MATTERS.
:grr:

[LeftyMom]

2. Breast cancer risk is associated with number of menstrual cycles

Early menarche raises the risk. Late menarche, pregnancies and breastfeeding all reduce risk. The longer you lactate, the lower the risk.

Historically nuns have had an unusually high rate of breast cancer, due to so many cycles uninterrupted by pregnancy or lactation.

[Contrary1]

3. I tried breast feeding my first...

hurt like hell. My grandma told me it would make my toes curl, but would ease up eventually. Kept it up for a whole six weeks. After one particular feeding, I was really sore. Looked down, and saw a couple dents.
The little booger was teething! :wow:

On a side note...I am an 11 year breast cancer survivor.

[Sultana]

5. Teething babies scare me, they don't stop crying.

I don't know how I am going to handle that in the future. :D

Dent marks :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared:

[MajorChode]

30. I will personally volunteer my services to mothers with teething babies

I have no problem doing my part to turn the tide against breast cancer.

Save the juggs, I always say.

Surprisingly it's actually pretty good in your morning coffee.

[BrklynLiberal]

16. Teething at weeks? That is amazing.

[Contrary1]

21. Amazed me too!

My little Marisa developed pneumonia at three months, The meds caused her two front teeth to yellow, so I actually took her to the dentist at six months. He cleaned all two of them, and told me to start saving for braces, as her mouth was way too small. By then, four more were popping through.

Her two year molars came in when she was just under a year old. The dentist was right, it cost us a small fortune to straighten later on.

I could never figure out why they came in so early. She was a very small full-term, weighing just 5 lbs, 14 oz at birth.

[BrklynLiberal]

29. I grew up with someone whose teeth has been scarred by drugs he had

taken as an infant.

[TexasObserver]

4. Not surprised. Breast feeding is good for mother and child.

With a few exceptions, but generally speaking, mother's milk is the perfect food for baby.

I detest this rush to put babies on formula, which is often bad for them.

Nature is smarter than it is given credit for being.

[KT2000]

6. Pollutants known to increase

risk of breast cancer - hormone disrupting chemicals that are found in many places, are stored in the fat tissue, including the breast. Breast feeding transfers those pollutants to the child thus reducing the mother's load of chemicals.

I sure wish breast feeding organizations would read up on this so they can participate in stopping these chemicals from getting into humans in the first place.

[Cairycat]

9. Formula is not pollutant free by a long shot

Do you really think the cows' milk and GMO soybeans that formula are made from are risk-free? Many studies have shown that even in a polluted world, breastfeeding is much better for babies.

But breastfeeding, that is to say, breastfeeding organizations and breastfeeding mothers, have been the canary in the coal mine for too long. Pollution should rightly be stopped, but it is much more the responsibility of environmental groups. Breastfeeding organizations are aware of and have made efforts to help mothers assess the comparative risks.

On a personal note, I breastfed all my three children 2 years plus each. Teeth are out of the way when the child is actively suckling. I've gotten nipped, yes, but children quickly learn that doesn't fly. Actually I had more problems with them biting my shoulders at that age.

[BrklynLiberal]

19. You are right..

When nursing, the tongue covers the bottom teeth, which are the first to come in. It is not difficult to let your child know that you do not like them to bite. I also had minimum experience with anything that could be called biting.

[Control-Z]

25. I nursed all three of my children

more than a year each. My (only) son was the biter of the three. He was, and still is, quite the character. Starting at about 5 months he would clench down with his teeth, then look me right in the eyes and smile, sometimes even giggle (as well as he could with his teeth still clenched). I discouraged it, but it didn't really hurt. After nursing for a few months I'd became desensitized, plus I'm sure I was still callused from my daughter before him.

I was very lucky. I hadn't made the decision to even breastfeed when, right after my (first) daughter's birth, the nurse brought her to me, without asking, and showed her the food supply. My milk came in less than 24 hours later. Nature just seemed to take its course.

[BrklynLiberal]

28. .You have three very lucky..and I would guess healthy..children.

[KT2000]

24. What??

the responsibility of environmental groups??
environmental health is public health... for everyone

Environmental groups are picking up the ball for everyone and there really is no justification for exempting oneself from fighting for an environment that does not cause illness - at an earlier and earlier age.

The discussion is about the mnother's reduced risk of breast cancer if breast feeding. No one said that formuala etc is without pollutants.

[Eurobabe]

7. I almost hit that mark

Ten months with 1st daughter, about 8 with second one. My kids never started teething until 4-6 mos., there are ways to stop them from biting, don't worry.

I do know someone who breastfed both sons, and still developed breast cancer in her late 30s, but I think it ran in her family. She's fine now, going on 10 years I think.
Rita :hug:

I encourage everyone to try it, it's best for the baby. Don't fool yourself into thinking that infants aren't getting GMOs, chemicals and god only knows what else from powdered/liquid formula.

I am not militant about much, but concerning breastfeeding I will defend it to the death. Does that make me a Lactivist?

[BrklynLiberal]

17. You are right...and I guess I would have to be called an activist as well

:thumbsup: :hi:

I nursed my son for 9 months, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. It is healthy for mother and Baby in so many different ways.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TZ]

10. makes a lot of sense

Breast fed babies tend to have better immune systems, which more and more seems to be an important key in the prevention of cancer.

[Ms. Toad]

15. It's protection for the mom, not the babe. n/t

[BlueIris]

11. K & R & Bookmarked. nt

[spinbaby]

12. Well, I'm good to go

Seven and a half years worth.

[ejpoeta]

13. darnit. i only breastfed my daughter for 14 months!! maybe 16.

and i have the scars to prove it. but i guess unless i have another kid, i am screwed. oh well. 2 is enough for me thank you very much. now i know why my mom was completely gray at 40. LOL!!!

[BrklynLiberal]

20. You did great!!!

[Donnachaidh]

23. it could't possibly be due the those women staying OFF birth control hormones

that reduced the cancer, could it?

[grace0418]

26. Not for my sister who just had a double mastectomy.

She's totally into holistic medicine, breastfed both her daughters, eats really healthy and organic, gets lots of exercise, doesn't use nasty chemicals on her body or in her home, etc. She was pretty mystified when she was diagnosed. But, with the way our environment is poisoned now, I guess it shouldn't be so surprising. :(

[Arugula Latte]

27. I've got four years of breastfeeding under my belt ... er ... bra.

Edited to say, that wasn't just one kid.

:)