Does Breastfeeding Lower Cancer Risk in Children? Expert Says Yes; Here's How

Breastfeeding has always been associated with amazing health benefits for newborns and babies. From protecting against some short- and long-term illnesses and diseases, breastfeeding also lowers the risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome. According to experts, breastfed babies are also less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs. However, it may also offer protection against cancer, especially leukemia.

Leukemia, a cancer of the blood, is the most common type of cancer in children and adolescents. Most children who get leukemia have a type known as acute lymphocytic leukemia.

According to doctors, even though the link between inadequate breastfeeding and increased cancer risk in children later in life is a subject of ongoing research, current evidence suggests that breastfeeding may play a role in lowering the risk of certain cancers. Although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood.

Experts say there is a combination of factors that may be responsible for a lower risk of cancer in children who are breastfed.

Breast milk contains immune-boosting factors, growth factors, and hormones that may help in the development of the child’s immune system, potentially offering protection against the abnormal cell growth that can lead to cancer,” Dr. Afshan Maniyar, MBBS, MS, OBS and GYN, Ruby Hall Clinic, told Times Now. “Additionally, the bioactive components in breast milk are believed to influence the child’s microbiome and immune responses, further contributing to long-term health,” she added.

Breast milk contains antibodies, reduces inflammatory responses, prevents infection, acts as a prebiotic that promotes a healthy gut microbiome, and also affects the pH levels of the stomach—all of which are instrumental in promoting a healthy body in children.

However, according to Dr. Maniyar, your lifestyle and genes play important roles in having cancer in your later years. “Although breastfeeding is associated with positive health outcomes, including a reduced risk of some cancers, other lifestyle factors, genetics, and environmental influences also play significant roles in the development of cancer later in life,” she added.

According to experts, you need to breastfeed your child for at least six months. Studies say 15 to 20 per cent of all childhood leukemia cases can be prevented by breastfeeding for at least half a year or more. A few other studies have also found that breastfeeding for at least six months was associated with a decreased risk of ALL.

There are no indicative studies to suggest that infant formula causes any kind of cancer. However, introducing formula into a baby’s diet changes the gut microbiome, which in turn may affect how the immune system responds to pathogens.

Research says linoleic acid and linolenic acid, found in infant formulas, were higher in newborns who later developed childhood leukemia than those who did not.

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