Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The impact of historical breastfeeding practices on the incidence of cancer in France in 2015

  • Original paper
  • Published:
Cancer Causes & Control Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to estimate the number of new breast cancer cases in France in 2015 attributable to breastfeeding for durations below recommendations (at least 6 months per child), and cases prevented through historical breastfeeding. As a secondary analysis, the corresponding numbers for ovarian cancer were estimated.

Methods

Historical breastfeeding data were obtained from population surveys. Duration of breastfeeding data were obtained from the French Épifane cohort study. Relative risks were obtained from meta-analyses, cohort, and case–control studies. Cancer incidence data were obtained from the French Network of Cancer Registries. A 10-year latency period was assumed.

Results

Among parous women 25 years of age and older, 14.1% breastfed for at least 6 months per child born before 2006. As a result, 1,712 new breast cancer cases (3.2% of all new breast cancer cases) were attributable to breastfeeding for < 6 months per child, while actual breastfeeding practices prevented 765 breast cancer cases. Furthermore, 411 new ovarian cancer cases (8.6% of all new ovarian cancer cases) may be attributable to breastfeeding for < 6 months per child, with breastfeeding preventing 163 ovarian cancer cases.

Conclusions

The historically low breastfeeding prevalence and duration in France led to numerous avoidable cancer cases.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. World Health Organization (2003) Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases: WHO technical report series 916. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  2. Eidelman AI, Schanler RJ, Johnston M et al (2012) Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics 129:e827–e841

    Google Scholar 

  3. Key TJ, Verkasalo PK, Banks E (2001) Epidemiology of breast cancer. Lancet Oncol 2:133–140

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. World Cancer Research Fund International, American Institute for Cancer Research (2011) Continuous update project report: food, nutrition, physical activity, and the prevention of breast cancer. World Cancer Research Fund International, London

    Google Scholar 

  5. World Cancer Research Fund International, American Institute for Cancer Research (2017) Continuous update project report: diet, nutrition, physical activity and breast cancer. World Cancer Research Fund International, London

    Google Scholar 

  6. World Cancer Research Fund International, American Institute for Cancer Research (2014) Continuous update project report: food, nutrition, physical activity, and the prevention of ovarian cancer 2014. World Cancer Research Fund International, London

    Google Scholar 

  7. Risch HA (1998) Hormonal etiology of epithelial ovarian cancer, with a hypothesis concerning the role of androgens and progesterone. J Natl Cancer Inst 90:1774–1786

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. McNeilly AS (2001) Lactational control of reproduction. Reprod Fertil Dev 13:583–590

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. de Onis M, Garza C, Onyango AW, Rolland-Cachera MF (2009) Les standards de croissance de l’Organisation mondiale de la santé pour les nourrissons et les jeunes enfants. Arch Pediatr 16:47–53

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Gartner LM, Morton J, Lawrence RA et al (2005) Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics 115:496–506

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Koletzko B (2005) Early nutrition and its later consequences: new opportunities. Adv Exp Med Biol 569:1–12

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Rollins NC, Bhandari N, Hajeebhoy N et al (2016) Why invest, and what it will take to improve breastfeeding practices? Lancet 387:491–504

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Li R, Zhao Z, Mokdad A, Barker L, Grummer-Strawn L (2003) Prevalence of breastfeeding in the United States: the 2001 National Immunization Survey. Pediatrics 111:1198–1201

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Yngve A, Sjostrom M (2001) Breastfeeding in countries of the European Union and EFTA: current and proposed recommendations, rationale, prevalence, duration and trends. Public Health Nutr 4:631–645

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Ibanez G, Martin N, Denantes M, Saurel-Cubizolles M-J, Ringa V, Magnier A-M (2012) Prevalence of breastfeeding in industrialized countries. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique 60:305–320

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Victora CG, Bahl R, Barros AJ et al (2016) Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. Lancet. 387:475–490

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Cattaneo A, Burmaz T, Arendt M et al (2010) Protection, promotion and support of breast-feeding in Europe: progress from 2002 to 2007. Public Health Nutr 13:751–759

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Cattaneo A, Yngve A, Koletzko B, Guzman LR (2005) Protection, promotion and support of breast-feeding in Europe: current situation. Public Health Nutr 8:39–46

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Agence Nationale d’Accréditation et d’Évaluation en Santé (2002) Allaitement maternel mise en œuvre et poursuite dans les 6 premiers mois de vie de l’enfant: recommandations. Agence Nationale d’Accréditation et d’Évaluation en Santé, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  20. Blondel B, Breart G, Du Mazaubrun C et al (1996) The perinatal situation in France. Trends between 1981 and 1995. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris) 26:770–780

    Google Scholar 

  21. Blondel B, Lelong N, Kermarrec M, Goffinet F (2012) La santé périnatale en France métropolitaine de 1995 à 2010. Résultats des enquêtes nationales périnatales. La Revue Sage-Femme 11:128–143

    Google Scholar 

  22. Rollet C (2005) Histoire de l’allaitement en France: Pratiques et représentations. Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Versailles, pp 1–10

    Google Scholar 

  23. Layde PM, Webster LA, Baughman AL et al (1989) The independent associations of parity, age at first full term pregnancy, and duration of breastfeeding with the risk of breast cancer. J Clin Epidemiol 42:963–973

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Sung HK, Ma SH, Choi J-Y et al (2016) The Effect of breastfeeding duration and parity on the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Prev Med Public Health 49:349

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  25. Whiteman DC, Webb PM, Green AC et al (2015) Cancers in Australia in 2010 attributable to modifiable factors: introduction and overview. Aust N Z J Public Health 39:403–407

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Romans F, Preclin V (2008) Population and social conditions: European Union Labour Force Survey-Annual results 2007. Eurostat, Luxembourg

    Google Scholar 

  27. Köppen K, Mazuy M, Toulemon L (2017) Childlessness in France. In: Kreyenfeld M, Konietzka D (eds) Childlessness in Europe: contexts, causes, and consequences. Springer, Berlin, pp 77–95

    Google Scholar 

  28. Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (2015) Nombre moyen d’enfants pour 100 femmes à divers âges par generation. Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  29. Lesné E, Weill-Spire M (1953) A propos de l’allaitement maternel dans les départements de la Seine et de la Seine-et-Oise pour les années 1949, 1951, 1952. Sem Médicale 27:401–404

    Google Scholar 

  30. Salanave B, De Launay C, Boudet-Berquier J, Castetbon K (2014) Durée de l’allaitement maternel en France (épifane 2012–2013). Bull Epidémiol Hebd 27:450–457

    Google Scholar 

  31. De Lathouwer S, Lionet C, Lansac J, Body G, Perrotin F (2004) Predictive factors of early cessation of breastfeeding: a prospective study in a university hospital. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 117:169–173

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Hamlyn B, Brooker S, Oleinikova K, Wands S (2000) Infant feeding. Stationery Office, London

    Google Scholar 

  33. Yngve A, Sjöström M (2001) Breastfeeding determinants and a suggested framework for action in Europe. Public Health Nutr. 4:729–739

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer (2002) Breast cancer and breastfeeding: collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 47 epidemiological studies in 30 countries, including 50302 women with breast cancer and 96973 women without the disease. Lancet. 360:187–195

    Google Scholar 

  35. Santé Pays de la Loire (2015) Le réseau FRANCIM: Les registres des cancers en France. Nantes: Santé Pays de la Loire

    Google Scholar 

  36. Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (2015) Statistical operation: population estimates. Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  37. Luan NN, Wu QJ, Gong TT, Vogtmann E, Wang YL, Lin B (2013) Breastfeeding and ovarian cancer risk: a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies. Am J Clin Nutr 98:1020–1031

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Labarère J, Dalla-Lana C, Schelstraete C et al (2001) Initiation et durée de l’allaitement maternel dans les établissements d’Aix et Chambéry (France). Arch Pediatr 8:807–815

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Lelong N, Saurel-Cubizolles M, Bouvier-Colle M, Kaminski M (2000) Durée de l’allaitement maternel en France. Arch Pediatr 7:571–572

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Branger B, Cebron M, Picherot G, De Cornulier M (1998) Facteurs influençant la durée de l’allaitement maternel chez 150 femmes. Arch Pediatr 5:489–496

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Jordan SJ, Wilson LF, Nagle CM et al (2015) Cancers in Australia in 2010 attributable to total breastfeeding durations of 12 months or less by parous women. Aust N Z J Public Health. 39:418–421

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. World Health Organization (2002) Global Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding. 55th World Health Assembly. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  43. World Health Organization (2002) Nutrient adequacy of exclusive breastfeeding for the term infant during the first six months of life. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  44. National Health and Medical Research Council (2012) Infant feeding guidelines. National Health and Medical Research Council, Canberra

    Google Scholar 

  45. Dennis CL (2002) Breastfeeding initiation and duration: a 1990-2000 literature review. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 31:12–32

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Meedya S, Fahy K, Kable A (2010) Factors that positively influence breastfeeding duration to 6 months: a literature review. Women Birth 23:135–145

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Bonet M, Blondel B, Khoshnood B (2010) Evaluating regional differences in breast-feeding in French maternity units: a multi-level approach. Public Health Nutr 13:1946–1954

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  48. Fairbank L, O’Meara S, Renfrew M, Woolridge M, Sowden A, Lister-Sharp D (2000) A systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to promote the initiation of breastfeeding. Health Technol Assess 4:1–171

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. World Health Organization Division of Child Health and Development (1998) Evidence for the ten steps to successful breastfeeding. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  50. DiGirolamo AM, Grummer-Strawn LM, Fein SB (2008) Effect of maternity-care practices on breastfeeding. Pediatrics 122:S43–S49

    Google Scholar 

  51. Murray EK, Ricketts S, Dellaport J (2007) Hospital practices that increase breastfeeding duration: Results from a population-based study. Birth 34:202–211

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Ogbuanu C, Glover S, Probst J, Liu J, Hussey J (2011) The effect of maternity leave length and time of return to work on breastfeeding. Pediatrics 127:e1414–e1427

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  53. Parkin D (2011) 15. Cancers attributable to reproductive factors in the UK in 2010. Br J Cancer 105:S73–S76

    Google Scholar 

  54. Bartick MC, Stuebe AM, Schwarz EB, Luongo C, Reinhold AG, Foster EM (2013) Cost analysis of maternal disease associated with suboptimal breastfeeding. Obstet Gynecol 122:111–119

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Siret V, Castel C, Boileau P, Castetbon K, l’Hélias LF (2008) Facteurs associés à l’allaitement maternel du nourrisson jusqu’à 6 mois à la maternité de l’hôpital Antoine-Béclère. Clamart Arch Pediatr 15:1167–1173

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Parkin DM (2011) 1. The fraction of cancer attributable to lifestyle and environmental factors in the UK in 2010. Br J Cancer 105(Suppl 2):S2–S5

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  57. Thévenon O (2015) Macro-level database on fertility and policies supporting families with children in European and OECD countries. Institut National d’Etudes Démographiques, Paris

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This project is funded by the French National Cancer Institute (Institut National du Cancer) for a project entitled “Définition des priorités pour la prévention du cancer en France métropolitaine: la fraction de cancers attribuables aux modes de vie et aux facteurs environnementaux” (Grant Number #: 2015-002 to I.S.). The work reported in this paper was partly performed during the stay of A.F. as a Visiting Scientist at the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Cancer Surveillance, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372, Lyon CEDEX 08, France

    Kevin D. Shield, Claire Marant Micallef, Sophie Pilleron, Freddie Bray & Isabelle Soerjomataram

  2. Biomarkers Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France

    Laure Dossus & Sabina Rinaldi

  3. CESP “Health across Generations”, INSERM, Univ Paris-Sud, UVSQ, Univ Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France

    Agnès Fournier

  4. Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France

    Agnès Fournier

  5. Institut de Veille Sanitaire, Département des Maladies Chroniques et Traumatismes, Saint Maurice, France

    Agnès Rogel

  6. Prevention and Implementation Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France

    Isabelle Heard

  7. Hospital Tenon, AP-HP, Paris, France

    Isabelle Heard

Authors
  1. Kevin D. Shield
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Laure Dossus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Agnès Fournier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Claire Marant Micallef
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sabina Rinaldi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Agnès Rogel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Isabelle Heard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Sophie Pilleron
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Freddie Bray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Isabelle Soerjomataram
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kevin D. Shield.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have conflict of interest.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 234 KB)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Shield, K.D., Dossus, L., Fournier, A. et al. The impact of historical breastfeeding practices on the incidence of cancer in France in 2015. Cancer Causes Control 29, 325–332 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-018-1015-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-018-1015-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation