title: European Code against Cancer 4th Edition: Breastfeeding and cancer.
abstract: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women, and incidence rates have been rising in European Union (EU) countries over recent decades due in part to a sharp decline in breastfeeding practices. Evidence for a protective association between breastfeeding and the risk of breast cancer at all ages is convincing, and modest protective relationships between breastfeeding and the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers have been suggested. The reduction in breast cancer risk is estimated at 2% for an increase of 5 months of lifetime breastfeeding. The longer women breastfeed, the more they are protected against breast cancer. In addition, breastfeeding is associated with several health benefits for both the mother and the breastfed child. Taking all this evidence into account, the 4th edition of the European Code against Cancer recommends: "Breastfeeding reduces the mother's cancer risk. If you can, breastfeed your baby".
authors.affiliation: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scoccianti
authors.affiliation: Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Key
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research into Cancer Prevention & Screening, Level 7, Mailbox 7, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, DD1 9SY, Scotland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Annie S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: CPO Piemonte, AO Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Armaroli
authors.affiliation: Fondazione IRCSS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 1 via Venezian, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berrino
authors.affiliation: Health Policy Analyst OECD, 2 rue André Pascal, 75775, Paris Cedex 16, France.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cecchini
authors.affiliation: Institut Gustave Roussy, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France.
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Boutron-Ruault
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leitzmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Norat
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Unit, The Medical School, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Powers
authors.affiliation: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schüz
authors.affiliation: World Cancer Research Fund International, Second Floor, 22 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3HH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiseman
authors.affiliation: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France. Electronic address: secretariat-cancer-code-europe@iarc.fr.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Romieu
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005062:European Union; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior
keywords: Breast; Breast feeding; Cancer; Europe; Health; Hormones; Primary prevention