Australian researchers at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre have found that breastfeeding may help protect mothers from breast cancer. The study highlights the role of specialised T-cells in the breast, offering insights that could inform future therapies and preventative strategies.

Council of the City of Sydney

Researchers at Melbourne's Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre have identified a potential mechanism by which breastfeeding may protect mothers against breast cancer. The study found that breastfeeding encourages the accumulation of special immune T-cells in the breast, which act as guards against cancerous cells. Analysis of over 1,000 breast cancer patients showed that women who had breastfed and developed tumours with higher numbers of these protective T-cells tended to have better survival outcomes.

The findings suggest that the immune system plays a crucial role in the protective effect of breastfeeding. Scientists hope this discovery could eventually lead to new therapies or even a vaccine to prevent certain types of breast cancer, though such developments remain in the future. The research also notes that even mothers who breastfeed for six months or less may experience long-term health benefits.

Breastfeeding may offer immune protection against breast cancer

Stephanie Davey is a proud mother of two children, four-year-old April and 20-month-old Eliza. And their health is her greatest priority. Once you have children and sort of realise how vulnerable they are and how important you are to be around as their parent, your own health kind of comes more into focus. She breastfed both children and in doing so, it could mean she's protected herself against the second most diagnosed cancer in Australia. Breastfeeding seems to protect against the development of breast cancer in the future. And now scientists from Melbourne's Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre have discovered why. When a woman breastfeeds, special immune T-cells gather in the breast and act like guards ready to attack cells that might turn into cancer. The study involved more than 1,000 breast cancer patients and discovered women who breastfed had tumours with higher numbers of protective T-cells tended to live longer after diagnosis. Using experiments in the laboratory and also analysing samples that have been donated by many women from Australia and all around the world, we're able to show that it's really the immune system that is crucial in providing that benefit that breastfeeding has. Researchers hope this discovery could one day lead to a vaccine for the disease. We want to harness that effect to develop therapies that can prevent that type of breast cancer, although that's a long way down the track. Nearly 16% of Australian mothers are still breastfeeding by the time their child reaches six months, but that could still provide a benefit long term. It's not really sort of front of mind when you're planning to breastfeed. I think you're really quite focused on your baby and, you know, wanting to get it right. But yeah, having extra health benefits for yourself, I think, is really quite special. Jack Pirrie, 10 News.

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