Breastfeeding lowers  risk of getting cancer- Midwife

A Principal Midwifery Officer at the Family planning unit at the Sunyani Municipal Health Directorate Millicent Agyeman has disclosed that disclosed that women who refuse to breastfeed their babies are at higher risk of getting breast cancer.

 According to her breastfeeding can give a baby a healthy start but that’s not the only health benefit that can be derived, it can lower breast cancer risk.

She noted that research shows mothers who breastfeed lower their risk of pre- and post-menopausal breast cancer.

She stressed that breastfeeding longer than the recommended six months can provide additional protection.

She explained most women who breastfeed experience hormonal changes during lactation that delay their menstrual periods and it reduces a woman’s lifetime exposure to hormones like estrogen, which can promote breast cancer cell growth.

Madam Agyeman stressed that during breastfeeding one can shed breast tissue that can help remove cells with potential DNA damage, thus helping to reduce their chances of developing breast cancer.

She recommended young women who haven’t given birth to conduct regular self-examination on their breast for early detection of breast cancer.