A group of Korean researchers has recently presented medical evidence that breastfeeding can reduce the risks of developing hereditary ovarian cancer.

The researchers analyzed the correlation between the possibility of ovarian cancer and breastfeeding by BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.

According to the National Cancer Center (NCC), the BRCA1/2 mutations are found in around 15 to 20 percent of ovarian cancer patients. Once this mutation is found in a patient, 50 percent of the person’s families with blood ties also have them. BRCA1/2 mutations also increase the risks of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer.

In a healthy person, breastfeeding decreases the chances of ovarian cancer by about 24 percent. And the longer the period of breastfeeding, the lower the chances of ovarian cancer. However, in hereditary cancer, the effects of breastfeeding on having ovarian cancer had yet to be known.

The research team made a meta-analysis using five sets of research results collected until 2021 May on a total of 14,601 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. As a result, the percentage of ovarian cancer decreased by 22 percent in healthy BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.

When the breastfeeding period exceeds a year, the chances of ovarian cancer were 21.3 percent lower in BRCA1 mutant carriers and 43.3 percent lower in BRCA2 mutant carriers than people who had less than a year of breastfeeding. Therefore, at least more than a year of breastfeeding was recommended to decrease the chances of ovarian cancer.

Researcher Park Eun-young of Biostatistics Collaboration Team at National Cancer Center, and Professor Lim Myong-cheol of the Department of Tumor Immunology and Center for Gynecologic Cancer collaborated with Professor Eoh Kyung-jin of Youngin Severance Hospital in conducting the research.

“In the case of ovarian cancer patients who carry BRCA1 or 2 mutants, up to several dozens of the same mutant carriers are found in the family.  Hence, making efforts in preventing the cancer is very important for the family,” Professor Lim said. “We will make best efforts to provide the medical basis for preventing cancer for those with high risks of hereditary cancer.”

He added that even if BRCA1 or 2 mutants are found in ovarian cancer, PARP inhibitors can be used to prevent cancer recurrence, and intraperitoneal anticancer therapy can also be considered. BRCA1 or 2 mutants are also known as the targets of cancer. Active cancer treatment is also required for these mutant carriers.

The study result was published in the latest edition of Gynecologic Oncology.