Breastfeeding can reduce cancer risk in mother by up to one fifth

A new research has revealed that breastfeeding can reduce the chance of the mother getting breast cancer by up to 20 per cent.

Researcher Graham Colditz from Washington University School of Medicine's cancer centre said that broader uptake of breastfeeding and completing up to 12 weeks of breastfeeding for each baby can significantly reduce the subsequent risk of breast cancer.

The study said that breastfeeding is a powerful strategy to reduce the risk of several aggressive breast cancer subtypes, with a relative risk reduction of approximately 10 per cent to 20 per cent.

Researcher Anees Chagpar from Yale Cancer Centre said that it is fairly well accepted now that breastfeeding is healthy for the baby and has benefits for reducing breast cancer risk.

Chagpar added that "when Britain has one of the lowest rates you have to ask the question why? Are British women educated enough about breastfeeding, or are there other reasons or barriers getting in the way?"

The researchers' analysis will be presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in Texas.