Women who breast feed have many benefits and a new study claims that these women may have reduced risk of ovarian cancer later in life. The study published in JAMA Oncology journal, said that the risk is 24 per cent less in women who breast feed.
The study said that women who breast feed long will have more reduced risk. The authors said that breastfeeding even for one to three months helps in reducing the risk.
Research fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston Dr Naoko Sasamoto said they hoped the results would encourage women to breast feed. The study notes the result was only applicable to those who gave birth and other women were not included.
The researchers analysed data from 13 case control studies that was part of Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium. They recorded breastfeeding history such as duration of breastfeed per child, age at first and last breastfeeding and the last time breastfed.
They found that women who breastfed for a long period had a 24 percent lower risk. Meanwhile, women who breastfed for a shorter period of one to three months had an 18 per cent reduced risk of ovarian cancer.
