Breast feeding as a protective factor for breast cancer

Abstract EN

The Objective of this research is to study the protective effect of breast feeding on breast cancer in patients admitted at Al-Gamhouria Teaching Hospital during the period from January 1st, 2003 to December 31st, 2004.

This was a prospective case control study.

The total population was composed of 55 patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer and 110 controls were free from the disease.

The controls were matched to the patients on sex and age group criteria and analyzed using statistical test and 95% interval confidence.

The difference between patients and controls regarding to ever breastfeeding is insignificant with odds ratio 0.88.

The difference between patients and controls who had breastfed their children during the period less than 24 months was insignificant with the odds ratio 0.96 with 95% CI : 0.37 – 2.64.

There is a reduction in the risk of breast cancer among patients who had ever fed.

Their children, compared with those never breastfed, OR : 0.88.

There is protection from breast cancer among females who breastfed their children within the period ≥ 24 months compared with those never breastfed, OR: 0.74.

Parous women who ever breastfed their children for less than 24 months had a borderline reduced risk of breast cancer, OR: 0.96.

Breastfeeding for ≥ 24 months protect the occurrence of breast cancer more than breastfeeding in less than 24 months compared with never breastfed.

We recommend to organize regular lectures in mother and child health care centers to emphasize the importance of breast feeding as a protective factor for breast cancer and to introduce breast cancer risk factors as part of teaching in mother and child health care centers.