ellymayone
02-03-2006, 01:39
BREAST FEEDING CUTS BREAST CANCER RISK
A big study published in the prestigious journal Lancet that reviewed data
from 47 epidemiological studies in 30 countries has clearly confirmed that childbearing and breastfeeding lower breast cancer risk substantially.
The reasearchers found that the relative risk of breast cancer is reduced by
4.3 percent for each year a woman breastfeeds, in addition to a reduction of
7 per cent for each birth. Confounding factors, including family history, age of starting periods (menarche), body mass inedx, the use of hormonal contraceptives, and alcohol or tobacco use did not alter the breastfeeding effect on the relative risk of breast cancer.
Breastfeeding acts in several ways in protecting a women from breast cancer.
Breastfeeding suppresses menstrual cycles which means less estrogen exposure. They lymph system within breast tissue, which is important in keeping the breast clean, only develops fully during pregnancy. Baby's suckling keeps the mother's oxytocin levels high. In fact, non-breastfeeding
women can get some of the benefit by massaging their breasts and also
kneading/twiddling the nipple, which releases oxytocin.
Also, breastfeeding helps to eliminate fatsoluble pollutants and carcinogens
from the breast tissue. They then end up in the baby via the milk - which raises the concern whether the baby is harmed. Of course a totally clean breast milk would be ideal, but the bottom line is that for most people, the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the small harm that might come from
the typical level of pollutants in breast milk. You can find excellent information
on contaminants in breast milk at Healthy Milk, Healthy Baby - Chemical Pollution and Mother's Milk from Nation Resources Defence Counil.
OXYTOCIN AND BREAST CANCER
There is some evidence that oxytocin, one of the hormones within human body, can help prevent breast cancer because it inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro. Oxytocin is responisble for many things, including
a general sense of happiness, labor contractions, and letdown reflex in breastfeeding. A loving, caring touch makes our bodies to release oxytocin, as does nipple stimulation like when baby suckles the breast. (Maybe all these babies who like to play with the one nipple while suckling the other are doing a favor for their mothers!) This can explain in part why breastfeeding and being sexually active lowers a woman's breast cancer risk.
Non-breastfeeding women can benefit from oxytocin by rubbing and tweaking
their nipples regularly. And, don't forget the hugs and friendly touch that help
in oxytocin production too!
http://www.007b.com/breast-cancer-prevention-2.php
A big study published in the prestigious journal Lancet that reviewed data
from 47 epidemiological studies in 30 countries has clearly confirmed that childbearing and breastfeeding lower breast cancer risk substantially.
The reasearchers found that the relative risk of breast cancer is reduced by
4.3 percent for each year a woman breastfeeds, in addition to a reduction of
7 per cent for each birth. Confounding factors, including family history, age of starting periods (menarche), body mass inedx, the use of hormonal contraceptives, and alcohol or tobacco use did not alter the breastfeeding effect on the relative risk of breast cancer.
Breastfeeding acts in several ways in protecting a women from breast cancer.
Breastfeeding suppresses menstrual cycles which means less estrogen exposure. They lymph system within breast tissue, which is important in keeping the breast clean, only develops fully during pregnancy. Baby's suckling keeps the mother's oxytocin levels high. In fact, non-breastfeeding
women can get some of the benefit by massaging their breasts and also
kneading/twiddling the nipple, which releases oxytocin.
Also, breastfeeding helps to eliminate fatsoluble pollutants and carcinogens
from the breast tissue. They then end up in the baby via the milk - which raises the concern whether the baby is harmed. Of course a totally clean breast milk would be ideal, but the bottom line is that for most people, the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the small harm that might come from
the typical level of pollutants in breast milk. You can find excellent information
on contaminants in breast milk at Healthy Milk, Healthy Baby - Chemical Pollution and Mother's Milk from Nation Resources Defence Counil.
OXYTOCIN AND BREAST CANCER
There is some evidence that oxytocin, one of the hormones within human body, can help prevent breast cancer because it inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro. Oxytocin is responisble for many things, including
a general sense of happiness, labor contractions, and letdown reflex in breastfeeding. A loving, caring touch makes our bodies to release oxytocin, as does nipple stimulation like when baby suckles the breast. (Maybe all these babies who like to play with the one nipple while suckling the other are doing a favor for their mothers!) This can explain in part why breastfeeding and being sexually active lowers a woman's breast cancer risk.
Non-breastfeeding women can benefit from oxytocin by rubbing and tweaking
their nipples regularly. And, don't forget the hugs and friendly touch that help
in oxytocin production too!
http://www.007b.com/breast-cancer-prevention-2.php