Extended breastfeeding has been identified as a significant factor in reducing the likelihood of ovarian cancer, according to a study featured in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Conducted by researchers at Curtin University in Australia, the study focused on 493 Chinese women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
The findings revealed a compelling correlation: women who breastfed for more than 13 months demonstrated a 63 percent decrease in the risk of developing ovarian tumors compared to those who breastfed for less than seven months.
Moreover, the study underscored that the risk reduction grew with prolonged breastfeeding durations. For instance, mothers of three children who breastfed for over 31 months exhibited a staggering 91 percent decrease in ovarian cancer risk, in contrast to those who breastfed for under 10 months.
Experts posit that breastfeeding serves as a protective mechanism against ovarian cancer by potentially delaying ovulation. The process of ovulation exposes women to a heightened risk of cellular mutations, which are associated with the onset of the disease.
Therefore, by reducing the frequency of ovulation through breastfeeding, women may mitigate their risk of ovarian cancer significantly.
