Breastfeeding 'cuts cancer risk'

Breastfeeding 'cuts breast cancer risk' say researchers

New mothers should breastfeed their baby for six months after giving birth to cut the risk of developing breast cancer, according to researchers.

The advice comes after a survey by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) showed three in four women are oblivious to the link.

The survey revealed two thirds of women are unaware that breastfeeding cuts their child's risk of being overweight - a chief risk factor for cancer.

Only 13% of men are aware breastfeeding can reduce a mother's possibility of developing breast cancer.

The survey comes after a review of nearly 100 scientific studies by the American Institute of Cancer Research which found 'convincing' evidence that breastfeeding reduced the risk of breast cancer.

Nearly 45,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed every year and it is the most common form of cancer among British women.

Lucie Galice of the WCRF commented: 'The evidence on this is convincing and this is why we recommend that - if they are able to - mothers should aim to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and then continue with complementary feeding after that.'