European Code against Cancer 4th Edition: Breastfeeding and cancer
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
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’’.
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’’.
Date Issued
2015-06-25
Date Acceptance
2014-12-05
Citation
Cancer Epidemiology, 2015, 39, pp.S101-S106
ISSN
1877-7821
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
S101
End Page
S106
Journal / Book Title
Cancer Epidemiology
Volume
39
Copyright Statement
© 2015 International Agency for Research on Cancer; Licensee ELSEVIER Ltd https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/igo/
License URL
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000373179500011&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Oncology
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Breast feeding
Health
Cancer
Breast
Hormones
Primary prevention
Europe
CHILDHOOD OVERWEIGHT
OVARIAN-CANCER
RISK
ESTROGEN
WOMEN
METAANALYSIS
PREVENTION
LACTATION
COUNTRIES
PATTERNS
Publication Status
Published