[Does breast-feeding prevent breast cancer?].
Many epidemiological studies show clearly the restraining effect of breast-feeding on breast cancer. So it could be shown that breast-feeding for one year reduces the individual risk for premenopausal breast cancer by 45%. The risk of postmenopausal breast cancer in the developed countries could be decreased by 42% by increasing the breast-feeding time in life. Most authors assume that the protective value of breast-feeding is hormone-conditioned. Further theoretical implications result from the increasing knowledge of the immunologic characteristics of the mother's milk. Beside well-known positive effects of breast-feeding on children's health, breast-feeding should also be further promoted from the view of women's health.
Abou-Dakn
M
M
Vivantes Humboldt-Klinikum. Klinik für Gynäkologie und Geburtsmedizin, Berlin. MAbou-Dakn@khr-berlin.de
Scheele
M
M
Strecker
J R
JR
D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017698:Postmenopause; D016387:Women's Health