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Breastfeeding Linked to Long-Lasting Cancer Protection

10/20/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Australian researchers report that breastfeeding triggers protective CD8+ T cells in breast tissue that persist for decades and may lower breast cancer risk, including triple-negative.
Findings were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress and are based on data from more than 1,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer after pregnancy.
Breastfed women showed higher tumor T cell density and better survival, but breastfeeding does not guarantee protection.

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Story summary

Australian researchers report that breastfeeding triggers protective CD8+ T cells in breast tissue that persist for decades and may lower breast cancer risk, including triple-negative.
Findings were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress and are based on data from more than 1,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer after pregnancy.
Breastfed women showed higher tumor T cell density and better survival, but breastfeeding does not guarantee protection.