Continued breastfeeding may reduce childhood cancer risks

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 20 May 2020 7:00AM · 13 Comments

YOU rarely think of the lesser known benefits you are offering your baby when you breastfeed because you initiate it in good faith. That is the best decision you have made but don’t give up on it sooner than six months, and keep at it after that. 

By continued breastfeeding beyond six months, you may lower risks of childhood leukaemias, and lifelong risks of heart diseases, Type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. You are protected from cancers of the breast, ovaries and uterus.

Why is continued breastfeeding so important for your child now? 

We are not entirely certain of how long Covid-19 survives in the body or its impact to long-term health. We can’t be certain whether this virus will remain a health threat long after this pandemic. Children are among the unseen carriers in the community transmission chain. We don’t know the long-term effects of that either. 

There are different patterns of illnesses in children. For example, a Kawasaki-like complication, with inflammation involving many organs, has been noted. We are not sure of its impact to health or to long-term survival.

We know that viruses can cause long-term problems to the body. Through infections, inflammation, toxins, reduced antioxidants, immune system weaknesses and unknown causes. They can also cause cancers.

Since many women may be going back to work now with the movement-control order lifted, it is necessary to emphasise how crucial it is to sustain the motivation to continue breastfeeding. 

Statistics show breastfeeding reduces some cancer risks

Although some studies may not show convincing evidence of breast milk cancer protection, many show that continued breastfeeding is useful.  

Published in Jama, 17 studies on breastfeeding and childhood leukaemia, the most common type of childhood cancer, showed that breastfeeding for six months or longer was associated with a 20% lower risk compared to those breastfed for a lesser amount of time or not at all.

A study in China indicates that breastfeeding reduced the risk of childhood leukaemia when it continued for between seven and nine months. Another study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute showed that breastfeeding reduced acute leukaemia risk with greater protection associated with increased breastfeeding duration. 

A study by the Childhood Leukaemia International Consortium with enrolment over 30 years showed prolonged breastfeeding was associated with a decreased risk of acute leukaemia.

Other than leukaemias, breastfeeding may also reduce a few other cancer types in children.

Effects of not being breastfed showed greater infections, long-term diseases and leukaemias.

Protection of infections could reduce cancers

Breastfeeding can prevent viruses from entering into cells. When repeated infections occur, viruses can take over control of cells and trigger cancer changes. When breastfeeding is continued for at least six months and longer, there is greater chance for such cancer causing effects to be reduced.

Antibodies against the SARS virus have been found in breast milk and there is recent evidence of antibodies against Covid-19 in breastmilk following recovery from the virus. Such antibodies in milk could protect against the virus, and like vaccines, provide specific protection. 

Sustained breastfeeding benefits can add up

A single substance in breast milk can protect in different ways.

Lactoferrin protects from different microbes causing disease. As an antioxidant, it protects cells from damage by environmental pollution and nutritional deficiencies, avoided by exclusive breastfeeding, followed by continued breastfeeding and balanced diets. Lactoferrin can also selectively kill cancer cells. Continued breastfeeding allows time for all these effects to add up and work together to protect from cancers.

Milk fat globules in breast milk and mucins prevent dangerous infections that weaken immunity. Sustained breastfeeding will not only help combat infections but will strengthen immunity, so important for cancer protection. 

The link between the mother’s gut and breast milk provides babies with beneficial microbes. With continued breastfeeding these useful microbes can prevent cancers.

HAMLET (a protein complex), formed in baby’s stomach, destroys cancer cells without affecting healthy cells, and colostral (a thin milky secretion from the nipples that precedes and follows true lactation) TRAIL proteins fight off cancer cells. Such cancer “scrutiny”, with continued breastfeeding, can be very effective.

Novel patterns of diseases and the long-term health impact of Covid-19 are challenging.  Exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding of up to two years will support and empower health. – May 20, 2020.

* Dr Prameela Kannan Kutty is a paediatrics professor at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia. 

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • I will ask my wife to breastfeed me the rest of my life as there are so much benefits for both of us!

    And so romantic too!!!!

    ;-))

    Posted 3 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

  • great article! very useful especially for mothers who are caught up in a race of getting their career back into order with the MCO slowly being relaxed. don't ignore the benefits of breast feeding to your child!

    Posted 3 years ago by DIVYASREE NAIR CHANDRAMOHAN · Reply

  • I am really impressed that God has created humans in such a way that our own body products might reduce the risk of cancer. Like what the author say, its so true that many women are breastfeeding their children not knowing the benefits that it convey. Thousand thanks to the author for enlightening us. I would share this piece of information with all my friends and relative so that they could be aware of it too. Not to forget Husbands should also share this responsibility by supporting their wives

    In conjunction with the recent Mothers day i would like to thank all mothers for their selflessness and sacrifices in bringing up to what we are today

    Posted 3 years ago by Eugene Hew · Reply

  • Yes, bf is a must till the end, then ny all the anti cancer drugs will be available la, this one u lazy then tell need to go work, u dont let them suck long enough, ofc la there wont be oxytocin no prolactin, then how to get breastmilk la. Just let them suck and god willing all will be alright. I would say not breastfeeding a child is a kind of abuse because breastmilk has everything a child needs. Do not neglect him. Go mothers, let em suck.

    Posted 3 years ago by Hari Krishna Rau Subbarao · Reply

  • Very useful and great article indeed. A must-read article for all the women out there. Don't neglect the benefits of breastfeeding. My heartfelt thanks to the author fpr writing such a great article like this. Do write more.

    Posted 3 years ago by SETEVENRAJ PARANJOTHY · Reply

  • Breastfeeding is the natural way for babies to build their immune system. It is a perfect design in a mother for her babies. With our uncertain situation regarding the COVID 19 pandemic, the surety for a child's survival is breast milk. Mothers must place priority for children's natural fortification against the onslaught of diseases in this age and time.

    Posted 3 years ago by Ruth Ting · Reply

  • Nothing comes easy when it brings you benefits. Breastfeeding remains a challenge for all mothers who work at the same time. But if you absolutely throw yourself into your activity, your energy will grow and mature. As what author had mentioned, breastmilk not only provides the nutrients that a baby needs, it could reduce risk of getting cancer. This is definitely an informative article and could upend your assumption towards breastfeedingA big thanks to the author who willing to share this information.

    Posted 3 years ago by Teo Meisy · Reply

  • Good article to be shared. Leukemia cases can be lessen when completely use the benefit of breastfeeding. New knowledge about antibody of SARS and covid 19 in breastmilk. Keep motivating people the pros of breastfeeding .

    Posted 3 years ago by Siti Hajar · Reply

  • With many not knowing all the blessings a child could get through breastfeeding , they tend to overlook the importance of feeding breastmilk for atleast 6 months of their child's age. This explains it all , the benefits of feeding and the risks of not feeding concurrently. One of the must read article especially the one planning to have a child soon or the one with child less than 6 months old.

    Posted 3 years ago by Thecican Mathivanan · Reply

  • Opens up a whole new horizon to the benefits of breastfeeding, running a wide gamut right up until the reduction of malignancy risks. Profound and thought provoking education for both the medical personnel and mothers alike everywhere trying to make a difference in the lives of their beautiful babies.

    It is nice to see a reflection of appreciation for the effort with which this article was produced and the author who was responsible for it save what is written by some (or one) individual who is so frivolous to the point of irreverence, showing a dire wealth of folly and lack of sense that is common.

    Posted 3 years ago by Chris Fraser · Reply

  • Great article. Thanks for including those studies that shows there are so many evidences in proving the benefits of breastfeeding. Evidence based practice. Thank you

    Posted 3 years ago by Aswinkumar Gunasekaran · Reply

  • The author has pointed out beautifully the importance of continued breastfeeding.

    Breastfeeding is encouraged for up to 2 years with weaning from 6 months onwards.
    Most healthcare professionals know that breastmilk has the adequate ideal nutrition, contains antibodies, reduces so many other health complications and risks, promotes a better bond between mother and child, makes the child smarter and also has many benefits to mother herself such as reduces depression, decreases breast cancer risks, etc. All these important information and facts should be advocated to new mothers and public.

    Some mothers are reluctant to breastfeed after 4-5 months. Sometimes they do not have or know the proper technique and practice which therefore, they couldn't breastfeed for a long time. New mothers should reach out to healthcare professionals for proper guidance on breastfeeding especially after delivering their child. There are many breastfeeding friendly-hospitals with trained professionals out there as well.

    The public should stop seeing as breastfeeding as a weird sight or whatsoever. Every mother has the rights to breastfeed their child at anywhere, anytime. Public should protect them at any costs. Recently there were articles condemning mother breastfeeding their child out there which reflects how poor one's mentality is.

    Great article that definitely must be shared around. The COVID-19 complications are still under studies and sometimes poorly understood. Public should not play the fool as our cases are in dropping trend. In fact, they should adhere strictly to the recommended public health measures by the Ministry of Health.

    Posted 3 years ago by Leeynesh Sooriyapiragasam · Reply

  • Again a great article I read regarding the benefit of breastfeeding. Ever since human creation, mother used to breastfeed their children and that is the best and natural way to do so. We shouldnt ignore the gift given to us. Breastfeed provide plentiful of benefits to our children, especially their health. We wont know the impact of this COVID-19 and MCO to us but at least, we can give a protection to our next generation through practising breastfeeding.

    Posted 3 years ago by Samuel Ting · Reply