A research team led by scientists from the Danish Institute for Cancer Research found that prolonged breastfeeding may reduce the risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (a malignant disease of the hematopoietic system) in children. Research results published On JAMA Network Open.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is considered the most common cancer of childhood (up to age 15). Other common childhood cancers include Hodgkin lymphoma, acute myeloid leukemia, and neuroblastoma.
A study by Danish scientists showed that ALL was 20% less common in children who were breastfed for at least six months. Scientists reached these conclusions after analyzing the health status of people born between 2005 and 2018. Using records from Danish healthcare organizations and workers, the researchers collected information about the children, their parents, and their breastfeeding duration.
Researchers explained that prolonged breastfeeding reduces the risk of children developing specific immune B cell precursors that, in some cases, lead to the development of leukemia. But long-term breastfeeding did not affect the likelihood of developing central nervous system tumors.
Previously was named An unexpected benefit of exercising while breastfeeding.
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Source: Gazeta
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