Australian study finds breastfeeding helps prevent breast cancer

Researchers in Australia have found that breastfeeding reshapes the immune system, providing long-term protection against breast cancer, especially aggressive triple-negative types. The study, led by Peter MacCallum Cancer Center and published in Nature, showed that women who breastfeed develop specialized CD8⁺ T cells in breast tissue that persist for decades and act as local guards against cancer. These immune cells accumulate through a full cycle of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and breast recovery, and preclinical tests confirmed their ability to slow or stop tumor growth. Data from over 1,000 patients also showed higher numbers of these protective T cells and better survival rates in women who breastfed. The findings suggest that immune changes, rather than hormonal shifts, are key to the protective effect, potentially opening new avenues for breast cancer prevention and treatment.

Credit : CGTN