Recent research presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) confirms that breastfeeding is safe for women who have undergone breast cancer treatment. These studies provide reassurance to survivors, debunking the myth that breastfeeding increases the risk of cancer recurrence, even for women with high-risk genetic factors like the BRCA mutation.

A study involving nearly 5,000 young breast cancer survivors, including 474 who gave birth, found no difference in cancer recurrence or survival rates between those who breastfed and those who did not. In cases where both breasts had been removed, survivors were unable to breastfeed, but for others, breastfeeding was not linked to any additional cancer risks.

Dr. Fedro Alessandro Peccatori, one of the researchers, emphasized that breast cancer survivors can experience a normal pregnancy and breastfeeding without increased health risks. This is a significant shift in the understanding of post-cancer maternal care.

Another study examined women who temporarily paused their cancer treatment to have children. Of the 518 participants, 317 gave birth, and 62% chose to breastfeed. After two years, the cancer recurrence rates were similar for women who breastfed (3.6%) and those who didn’t (3.1%).

These findings align with other research showing that neither pregnancy nor assisted reproductive treatments increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Women can feel confident that breastfeeding post-treatment is both a healthy and safe option for them and their babies.

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