Research does show that women who begin childbearing at around 20 years old receive the correlated health benefit of reducing their chance of developing breast cancer.
Additionally, women that breastfeed their children for two years or more reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by 24 percent. Breastfeeding for 2 years or more greatly reduces the risk of developing breast cancer, even if a woman starts childbearing later in life.
It is important that women who have a family history of breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer receive current information about how to prevent cancer that include ways that do not require taking medications or having surgery.
As young girls begin to plan their lives they should consider how childbearing and breastfeeding can impact their life long health in positive ways.
Research this important topic for yourself. Start conversations to discuss how pregnancy and breastfeeding reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers.
Resources
- Pregnancy Offers Protection Against Breast Cancer
- Susan G. Komen: Research Fast Facts
- Study: Breast-Feeding Decreases Cancer Risk (NPR)
- 7 Ways Breastfeeding Benefits Mothers