BREASTFEEDING IN THE PREVENTION OF BREAST CANCER

Abstract

This study addressed breastfeeding as a protective factor in the prevention of breast cancer, highlighting the biological, physiological, and epidemiological mechanisms that support this relationship. The main objective was to analyze, in light of scientific literature, how breastfeeding contributes to reducing the risk of developing breast cancer, understanding its hormonal and cellular bases and its impact on public health. The research was bibliographic and qualitative in nature, grounded in national and international studies from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Cancer Institute (INCA), and scientific articles indexed in recognized databases. Evidence reviewed demonstrated that breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer, particularly in women who breastfed for prolonged periods, due to decreased exposure to estrogen, suppression of the ovulatory cycle, and induction of apoptosis and cellular renewal processes in the mammary gland. The investigation also revealed that breast physiology during lactation involves hormonal and structural changes that promote not only milk production but also protective cellular differentiation and tissue balance. Results showed that breastfeeding is essential not only for the healthy development of the child but also as an effective measure for breast cancer prevention, with long-lasting benefits for women’s health. It was found that each additional cumulative breastfeeding period represented a percentage reduction in breast cancer risk, reinforcing the dose-response nature of this protection. The study concluded that encouraging and supporting breastfeeding is a low-cost, high-impact public health strategy with the potential to reduce female morbidity and mortality and promote physical, emotional, and social well-being. Thus, the research reaffirmed the importance of integrating public policies aimed at promoting breastfeeding and raising awareness of its preventive benefits for both mothers and society.