Studies have shown the risk of developing breast cancer is related to a woman’s exposure to chemicals, xenoestrogens (estrogen mimickers), estrogen, and the hormones produced by her ovaries.

Pregnancies reduce the number of menstrual cycles, thereby reducing a woman’s exposure to ovarian hormones.

While women in today’s society have fewer children at later ages, let’s take a closer look at reproduction information regarding breast cancer and prevention.

Pregnancy Factors Lowering the Risk of Breast Cancer

A woman with multiple, full-term births in her twenties has a reduced risk of breast cancer.

  • During full-term pregnancy, breast cells mature. Mature breast cells are more resilient against mutation than immature cells. Hence, full-term pregnancies add protection against cancer.
  • Women birthing five or more children may have a 50% less risk of breast cancer than women with no children.
  • Women completing their first full-term pregnancy before age 20 reduce their risk of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer by 50% compared to women whose first full-term pregnancy occurs after 30.
  • Women who have had preeclampsia may have a decreased risk of developing breast cancer.

Pregnancy Factors Increasing the Risk of Breast Cancer

 The older a woman is at her first full-term pregnancy, the higher her risk of breast cancer.

  • During pregnancy, breast cells grow rapidly. Genetic damage in the breast cells copies as the cells multiply. Damage may lead to breast cancer, and the likelihood increases with a woman’s age.
  • Women older than 30 who give birth have a higher risk of breast cancer than women who never give birth.
  • Recent childbirth increases the short-term risk of breast cancer—the risk of cancer declines after ten years.
  • The use of diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy may have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer. DES, a synthetic estrogen, was used between 1940 and 1972 to prevent miscarriages.
  • Daughters of women who took DES during pregnancy may also have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer after 40.

Premature Deliveries and Breast Cancer

 Abortions or miscarriages may increase the risk of breast cancer.

  • During the first two trimesters, high estrogen levels stimulate cellular division in the breasts and increase the number of immature breast cells.
  • Breast cells only mature during the third trimester.
  • Some studies suggest that premature deliveries before 32 weeks may double the risk of breast cancer.
  • One study suggests a teenage pregnancy terminated between weeks 9 and 24 increases breast cancer risk by 30%.

Reducing the Risk of Breast Cancer Based on Reproductive History

Along with considering a healthy lifestyle and this reproductive information, women can consider reducing estrogenic exposure and consulting with functional health professionals to test and address estrogen metabolism and balance issues in the body.

Our mission at The Thermogram Center, Inc. is preventive education. Environmental causes of human cancer are manageable. However, the public remains unaware of the many common environmental carcinogens and the actions necessary to mitigate their risk. We hope to be a reliable source of information to help you protect you and your family from the hazardous chemicals in the air, water, food, and products threatening your well being.

by Tirza Derflinger
Founder, Author, Lead Educator, Speaker, CTT, MBA
Better Breast Health – For Life!™
Be the Cure. Seek Prevention.
text/call 303-664-1139 ● thermogramcenter.com

This information is for educational purposes only and does not diagnose, treat or cure health conditions. It is not intended in any way to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner when seeking medical advice. Copyright © 2002- 2023 The Thermogram Center, Inc. All rights reserved.