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Breast cancer has long been thought to be a disease primarily affecting older women, but surprising data reveals that its incidence is increasing among younger women. While advances in medical imaging and early detection are shedding light on this shift, deeper societal trends, particularly lower birth rates, delayed pregnancy, and less emphasis on breastfeeding, are also playing an important role. . These changes are often viewed through the lens of progress and need to be considered more closely when considering their impact on women’s health.
Declining birth rates and delayed pregnancy
One of the most significant social changes in recent decades has been the decline in birth rates. The U.S. birth rate has fallen from 118 births per 1,000 women in 1960 to about 58 births per 1,000 women in 2021, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Women are also waiting longer to give birth, with the average age of first-time mothers rising from 21 in 1970 to 30 in some urban areas. This delay allows women to pursue career and personal growth, but it is also correlated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
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Research shows that having children at a younger age may provide protection against breast cancer. Pregnancy early reduces a woman’s lifetime exposure to estrogen, a hormone linked to certain breast cancers. Long-term exposure due to fewer pregnancies or delayed births may increase risk.
Breast cancer is on the rise in young women. And there are some traditional methods that may limit the risk. (Javi_Indy)
In fact, a study published in The Lancet Oncology highlighted this risk by reporting that women who gave birth to their first child after age 35 had a higher risk of breast cancer compared to women who gave birth before age 25. I’m doing it.
The benefits of breastfeeding are underestimated
Breastfeeding, often overlooked in public health discussions, provides significant protection against breast cancer. Because breastfeeding suppresses ovulation over a long period of time, women who breastfeed have lower lifetime estrogen levels. The World Cancer Research Fund estimates that breastfeeding for at least 12 months reduces the risk of breast cancer by approximately 4% for each 12 months of breastfeeding.
A lower risk of cancer is just one of the many benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and children. However, breastfeeding rates in many countries remain below optimal levels, and barriers such as workplace policies, cultural bias and lack of support keep women from breastfeeding for long periods of time. Additionally, women simply choose not to breastfeed due to lifestyle preferences. Admittedly, as a mother who breastfed three children, breastfeeding is hard.
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However, the societal undervaluation of breastfeeding reflects a broader problem in which the long-term health benefits are not being emphasized enough. Public health campaigns often focus on the immediate benefits for infants, but their importance in reducing maternal cancer risk is overlooked.
Although no single factor explains the increase in breast cancer among young women, lower birth rates, delayed pregnancy, and decreased breastfeeding collectively contribute to this trend.
Addressing the rising prevalence of breast cancer and promoting overall health for women requires a cultural shift that celebrates women’s ability to bear children and support their families, rather than being framed by fear and anxiety. is. While society emphasizes the challenges of raising children, such as career sacrifices, financial strain, physical demands, and even climate change, it underestimates the profound health benefits and fulfillment that motherhood provides. Masu.
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Empowering women to embrace their reproductive choices requires reframing the narrative to emphasize the strengths and rewards of parenthood while addressing institutional barriers. Families should have access to affordable and nutritious food, safe housing, and comprehensive health care to ensure healthy pregnancy, breastfeeding, and long-term health for all. . It’s time to create a culture and policies that empower women, rather than prevent them from having children.
As society evolves, so do our health challenges. The rise in breast cancer among young women is a stark reminder that our choices, both individual and collective, shape public health. While advances in women’s empowerment should never be undermined, it is important to balance these advances with an informed understanding of the potential health trade-offs. Only then can we work towards a future where women’s health is prioritized at every stage of life.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Nicole Safia