Breastfeeding Helps Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Health, Breastfeeding, Cancer Survivor

Cancer survivorship is a worldwide trend , and more studies showing the benefits of breastfeeding for infants. Published in Springer's Journal of Cancer Survivorship, the study conducted by St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, found that an estimated one in every 640 young adults will be a survivor of childhood cancer.

They examined previous studies on the impact of breastfeeding and on the long-term health effects of surviving childhood cancer.

It is well established that breastfeeding confers  a lot of health benefits to both children & their mothers. Ogg & team looked at whether breastfeeding might result in the same benefits to women who've survived childhood cancer.

Ogg and colleagues conclude: "Alongside advice to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, abstain from smoking, use suitable sun protection, practice safe sex and take part in regular physical activity, women who have survived childhood cancer and are physically able to breastfeed, should be actively encouraged to do so to help protect them against the many lasting effects of cancer treatment."

They found breastfeeding potentially influenced positively bone mineral density, metabolic syndrome risk factors, heart issues, and secondary cancers. However, the scientists found that mothers can help improve their own health by breastfeeding later in life.

Source: http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-01-breastfeeding-added-cancer-survivors.html