Having babies and breastfeeding them is an effective way to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Just as mothers who breastfeed their babies are less likely to get breast cancer, a study reveals that pregnancy is also a protective factor.
As published by the American Association for the Prevention of Cancer, alphafetoprotein, produced by pregnancy hormones such as estrogen, naturally protects the body against breast cancer.
They have suggested that this protein could be used perfectly in the Prevention of breast cancer. And not only that, but it could also be used for treatment.
Alphafetoprotein is a protein produced in the liver and in the yolk sac of the fetus. Their levels are maximum in the first trimester of pregnancy to go down until birth.
There is a prenatal test (triple screening) that is performed in the first trimester to control the levels of this protein in the mother's blood. When its concentration is increased it can be an indicator of multiple pregnancy or that the baby has a neural tube defect. If the levels are decreased, it could indicate Down syndrome or some other chromosomal abnormality.
Returning to the study, it is not the first that relates to pregnancy with the prevention of breast cancer. Although the investigations are inconclusive, when it is observed that pregnancy hormones generate a protein that inhibits the growth of this type of cancer, the doors to the development of a drug for the prevention and treatment of this disease could be opened.
More research is needed, but of course it is hopeful news.
