Breast cancer survivors may benefit from pregnancy

14 trials analyzed
To come up with this finding, a research team led by Dr. Hatem Azim of the Institute Jules Bordet in Belgium analyzed the results of 14 previously conducted trials published between 1970 and 2009.

More than 1,417 pregnant women with a history of breast cancer and 18,059 women who survived the condition but weren’t pregnant were included in these trials.

Outcome of the analysis
On analysis, it was found that women who got pregnant had 42 percent lower chances of dying of breast cancer than the women who didn’t get pregnant.

The researchers hypothesized that hormonal changes could explain why pregnancy might help women in surviving the odds of cancer recurrence.

A woman’s body develops high doses of a hormone called estrogen while pregnant. Although it is known to fuel breast cancer, but very high doses of the hormone could kill cancer cells.

Another hormone linked to breast feeding has also been shown to protect against breast cancer. Pregnancy also releases prolactin hormone which has also been proven to cut back the cancer recurrence.

The researchers also speculated that immune cells released into the mother’s bloodstream from the newborn may also offer cancer protection.

"What we are seeing is only the tip of the iceberg," Azim said. "It's too simple to say that pregnancy stimulates hormones and that's bad for breast cancer."

Maria Leadbeater, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Breast Cancer Care, said, “To date there has been insufficient evidence on whether pregnancy following breast cancer treatment can increase a woman’s risk of recurrence.

'While this research does not identify why pregnancy may reduce the risk of breast cancer returning, its suggestion that it will not lead to an increased risk will be very reassuring for younger women with breast cancer.”

Leadbeater was not associated with this study.

The review will be presented today at the European Breast Cancer Conference in Barcelona.