Breastfeeding is generally acknowledged as the best nutrition for infants, and many studies have revealed that it provides numerous health benefits for babies.

One of the more recent discoveries is that breastfeeding is associated with reduced leukemia rates in children. Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow and is the most common cancer in children worldwide.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the relationship between breastfeeding and the reduced rates of leukemia in children.

What is leukemia?

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. The disease usually starts in the bone marrow, the soft tissue found in the center of most bones. The bone marrow produces red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

In leukemia, abnormal blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, and they do not function normally. These abnormal cells crowd out the healthy blood cells, leading to a range of symptoms, including fatigue, fever, and an increased risk of infections and hemorrhages.

The exact causes of leukemia are not well understood, but inherited genetic mutations, exposure to radiation or certain chemicals, and viral infections have been linked to the disease.

Breastfeeding and reduced leukemia rates

Over the past few decades, several studies have suggested that breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of leukemia in children.

A meta-analysis of ten studies indicated that the risk of childhood leukemia was significantly lower in breastfed infants than in formula-fed infants. The study found that breastfeeding for at least six months reduced the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) by about 20%, and the longer the breastfeeding duration, the greater the reduction in risk.

Furthermore, breastfeeding has been found to be protective against acute myeloid leukemia (AML), another type of childhood leukemia.

Why breastfeeding reduces leukemia risk?

The exact mechanisms by which breastfeeding reduces the risk of leukemia are not well understood.

However, several factors have been proposed, including the composition of breast milk, the immunity-boosting effect of breastfeeding, and the reduced exposure to environmental toxins.

Composition of breast milk

Breast milk contains a range of beneficial substances, including antibodies, cytokines, growth factors, and other bioactive compounds. These substances help to protect the infant from infections and promote the development of a healthy immune system.

Breast milk also contains several components that may have anti-cancer properties, such as lactoferrin, which has been shown to induce cell death in cancer cells, and Bifidobacterium lactis, a probiotic bacterium that has been linked to a reduced risk of various cancers.

Immunity-boosting effect of breastfeeding

Breastfeeding enhances the infant’s immune system by transferring antibodies from the mother to the child. These antibodies help to protect the infant against infections and diseases, including cancer.

Furthermore, breastfeeding stimulates the production of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system’s response to cancer cells. Breastfeeding also promotes the development of a healthy gut microbiota, which is essential for the immune system’s proper functioning.

Reduced exposure to environmental toxins

Breastfed infants are exposed to fewer environmental toxins than formula-fed infants because breast milk does not contain harmful chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and other pollutants.

Exposure to these toxins has been linked to an increased risk of leukemia and other cancers. Breastfed infants also have a lower intake of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, which have been linked to cancer and other health problems.

Other benefits of breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has numerous health benefits for both mothers and infants. For infants, breast milk provides optimal nutrition, promotes healthy growth and development, boosts immunity, and protects against a range of infections and diseases.

For mothers, breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and postpartum depression. Breastfeeding is also convenient, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly, as it eliminates the need for formula feeding, bottles, and other equipment.

Conclusion

Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of leukemia and other cancers in children, likely due to the composition of breast milk, the immunity-boosting effect of breastfeeding, and the reduced exposure to environmental toxins.

Breastfeeding also has numerous other health benefits for both mothers and infants. Therefore, promoting and supporting breastfeeding should be a top priority for public health policies worldwide.