Linking pregnancy later in life and a higher risk of postpartum breast cancer
In a significant development, researchers at Texas A&M University are delving into the factors that contribute to increased breast cancer risk in women who have their first child after the age of 30. However, specific findings from Theo Farrant's study are yet to be confirmed due to a lack of readily available sources.
General scientific understanding suggests that delayed first childbirth may increase breast cancer risk. This is believed to be due to hormonal influences and changes in the biology of breast tissue development. Early full-term pregnancy is thought to cause lasting changes in breast cells that reduce susceptibility to carcinogenic changes, while delayed first childbirth may mean longer exposure to circulating estrogens before this protective effect occurs.
Other studies have shown that pregnancy and childbirth can lower the risk of breast cancer among older women. However, postpartum breast cancer, which occurs in women under 45 within a few years of childbirth, tends to be more aggressive than other forms of the disease.
For first-time mothers in their 30s, the risks of breast cancer increase in the years immediately following pregnancy before declining over the long term. This rise in risk underscores the importance of regular screenings and self-examinations for women in this demographic.
In 2022, 2.3 million women globally were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 670,000 died. These figures are expected to rise in the coming decades. A 2020 meta-analysis found that each additional year of breastfeeding per child could reduce breast cancer risk by over 50%.
In the European Union, breast cancer affects approximately one in 11 women, and one in seven women in the United Kingdom. Women over the age of 45 make up the vast majority of breast cancer cases and deaths, but in the EU, about 3.9% of all breast cancer deaths are among women under age 45.
Researchers are also studying changes in the immune system during pregnancy to identify markers or signs of cancer that could be targeted to improve treatment. Porter's team, for instance, found that when women have their first pregnancy in their 30s, there is a change in the immune infiltration or inflammation that occurs in the breast.
The change in the immune system during lactation and involution (when the child stops nursing) results in an influx of inflammatory cells, potentially raising the risk of breast cancer. Porter's research explores the biological link between pregnancy and the risk of breast cancer in new mothers.
Porter advises women who have a pregnancy in their 30s to be more vigilant and have regular mammograms and perform self-exams to identify lumps or abnormalities. As research continues to uncover more about the complex relationship between pregnancy and breast cancer risk, it is crucial for women to stay informed and proactive about their health.
- Delving deeper into the impact of pregnancy on breast cancer, researchers like Porter are examining changes in the immune system during pregnancy and lactation, which may influence cancer risk in women who have their first pregnancy in their 30s.
- In light of the findings indicating increased breast cancer risk for women who give birth to their first child after 30, emphasizing the importance of regular screenings and self-examinations becomes integral, especially for mothers in their 30s.
- Research has suggested that each additional year of breastfeeding per child could decrease the risk of breast cancer by over 50%, highlighting the role of health and wellness practices in reducing breast cancer incidence. Moreover, mental health, women's health, and medical-conditions related to breast cancer warrant continued attention in scientific and public discourse.
