Confirmation that Breast-Feeding Reduces Ovarian Cancer Risk

Ovarian cancer survival continues to be poor, making data on modifiable risk factors and prevention important. To assess the effects of breast-feeding on ovarian cancer risk, investigators pooled 13 case-control studies encompassing data between 1989 and 2009 from 9973 women with ovarian cancer and 13,843 controls.

Independent of parity, breast-feeding was associated with markedly reduced risks for all types of invasive ovarian cancer, especially high-grade serous and endometrioid cancers. Dose response was evident: Compared with women who did not breast-feed, those who did so for <3 months had an 18% reduced risk for ovarian cancer, while ≥12 months of breast-feeding lowered risk by 34%. Among those who ever breast-fed, significant ovarian …