What's Happening?
A study led by Professor Sherene Loi at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has uncovered how breastfeeding can provide long-term immune protection against breast cancer. Published in Nature, the research
shows that women who breastfeed have more specialized immune cells, known as CD8+ T cells, in their breast tissue. These cells act as local guards, ready to attack abnormal cells that could develop into cancer. The study suggests that this immune response may have evolved to protect mothers during the vulnerable post-pregnancy period, but it also lowers the risk of aggressive breast cancer types, such as triple-negative breast cancer.
Why It's Important?
This research provides a biological explanation for the protective effect of breastfeeding against breast cancer, offering new insights into prevention and treatment strategies. Understanding the immune changes within breast tissue could lead to novel approaches to prevent and treat breast cancer, potentially reducing the incidence of this disease. As breast cancer remains a significant health issue, with high diagnosis rates, these findings could have a substantial impact on public health strategies and women's health outcomes.
