Breast cancer is a global concern; it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. October is observed internationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On October 25 this year, a breast cancer walk was organized in Liberia under the theme “United by Unique”.
Fact Check Report by: Ralitsa Massah | Intern Researcher
Following the well-publicized event, a rumor about breast cancer surfaced on social media: “Sucking a woman’s breast may prevent breast cancer”. These claims, which appeared as a meme or joke, were spreading in various social media groups and chat rooms.
Those spreading this claim that once a woman’s breasts are sucked on by a partner repeatedly, it helps to prevent breast cancer.
What is breast cancer?
The World Health Organization (WHO) defined breast cancer as a disease in which abnormal breast cells grow out of control and form tumors. A tumor is an unusual mass of tissues formed when cells grow and divide more than they should or don’t die when they should. If left unchecked, the tumors can spread throughout the body and become fatal.
So, does sexual breast sucking prevent breast cancer?
There is no scientific or medical evidence linking the sucking of a woman’s breasts by her partner to reducing the risk of breast cancer. It does not change hormone levels, and it does not reduce the risk factors associated with breast cancer.
The misbelief that sexual sucking of a woman’s breast reduces the risk of breast cancer likely comes from the fact that “breastfeeding is associated with the reduction of breast cancer”.
Correct, breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer
The World Health Organization (WHO) says continued breastfeeding beyond six months for both mother and child is healthy. The protective effects of breastfeeding for mothers include reduced risk of both ovarian and breast cancer as well as type 2 diabetes. The benefits to infants include reduced risk of all-cause mortality and obesity.
This is also scientifically proven by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that breastfeeding can help lower a mother’s risk for breast cancer.
According to scientists, the main way in which lactation and breastfeeding influence the reduction in the risk of breast cancer is through hormonal changes during the period of amenorrhoea (when menstruation stops temporarily). Lactation is the process by which the body produces milk to breastfeed.
Studies further show that most women who are breastfeeding can experience delays in the return of their menstrual periods after childbirth. This reduces their exposure to hormones like estrogen, which can promote breast cancer cell growth.
Scientists also found that women who had children and breastfed had more specialized immune cells, known as the T-Cells, in their breast tissue, which act as guards to protect and attack abnormal cells that might turn into cancer.
It was also proven by Australian researchers that pregnancy and breastfeeding can leave behind long-lived protective immune cells in the breast and the body, and these cells can help to reduce risk and improve defense against breast cancer, particularly the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
The European Code Against Cancer 5th edition, also recommends that the longer a mother continues breastfeeding, the greater the protection she has against breast cancer.
Conclusion
Breast cancer remains a major global public health challenge, claiming the lives of thousands of women yearly. Misconceptions like “sucking a woman’s breast can prevent breast cancer” undermine awareness efforts against this health condition. This claim has no scientific foundation.
However, evidence shows that breastfeeding, not sexual breast stimulation, offers real protective benefits through hormonal changes and long-lasting immune defenses developed during pregnancy and lactation. Breastfeeding and sexual breast stimulation are two different things.
Research by the WHO, CDC, and scientific studies confirms that breastfeeding can lower a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, including aggressive forms like triple-negative breast cancer.