You probably know that breastfeeding can give your baby a healthy start but that is not the only health benefit. It also helps to prevent breast cancer says Dr Muhammad Habeebu, head of department, Radiotherapy, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Habeebu said this at the 9th Symposium and Awards organised by the Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) in collaboration with Maximpact Communications, in Lagos.

He said that research shows that mothers who breastfeed exclusively lower their risk of pre and post menopausal breast cancer.

“A woman’s body is designed to have children and having children means breastfeeding to lower the risk of breast cancer.”

Dr Habeebu explained that the hormone estrogen fuels 80% of all breast cancers and since pregnancy and lactation reduce estrogen levels, the risk is decreased each time one is pregnant and while nursing a baby.

“Most women who breastfeed experience hormonal changes during lactation that delay their menstrual periods.”

”This delay reduces a woman’s lifetime exposure to hormones like estrogen, which can promote breast cancer cell growth.

”So, when a woman has children and breastfeed them adequately, it makes her breast less likely to develop cancer but women who did not have children or breastfeed are at higher risk of developing cancer, ” he said.

He further explained that breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts and the most common cancer diagnosed in women in Nigeria adding that breast cancer can also  occur in men.

He therefore urged women maintain good lifestyle , avoid alcohol and cigarette, reduce weight , do regular exercises and also go for regular screening and mammograms so as to help prevent breast cancer.

Habeebu who is also a Consultant Oncologist said lamented that  Nigeria only has nine radiotherapy machines and out of which only three are functioning , hence he called on government at all levels to invest in the provision of infrastructure for cancer treatment to save many cancer patients in the country.