The risk factors in childhood cancer and the role of breastfeeding

In this study, possible risk factors of childhood cancers have been investigated among 300 children who have already been diagnosed with cancer and sex and age matched 316 otherwise healthy children between November 2005 and 2007. In this epidemiologic case control study, pregnancy complications, medicine used throughout the pregnancy, X-ray exposure, habits of smoking and/or drinking; as well as the duration of the breastfeeding period, the beginning age of cow-milk consumption, the presence of formula consumption and the time of presentation of additional nutrients in diet to the child have been interrogated. Parents? education levels and professions, monthly levels of income have been analyzed to get a better understanding in socioeconomic status. Consanguinity between parents and cancer history of the family have been interrogatedIt has been observed that breastfeeding (p=0,001) and keeping the period of breastfeeding as long as possible (p=0,002) lowers the risk of cancer development. We have found that breastfeeding is 7,5 times protective against cancer. It has been observed that in the patients? group of the breastfeeding period is shorter and use of cow milk earlier. Also, it has also been found that positive family history for cancer is more frequent in patiets? group compared to the healthy group. The patients? group had higher birth order than controls? group, that is important transmission of infection. As a result in this study, the risk factors which can cause childhood cancer have been analyzed and it has been proved that long periods of breastfeeding can be preventative against cancer.