How late marriage and late pregnancy impact breast health in women, according to a cancer physician

Late marriage and delayed pregnancy can impact breast health in ways many women aren't aware of. Hear what cancer physicians say about the risks, prevention, and the importance of regular screenings.(Image: Pexels)

In the past few decades, women from India are now marrying later and resisting their first pregnancy in response to social, economic and education changes. Although they represent empowerment and increased chances, these trends shower implications for women’s health especially breast health. Research suggests that the age at which a woman bears her first full-term pregnancy is an important factor in lifetime breast cancer risk.

Breast cancers associated with pregnancy, which is generally diagnosed during pregnancy or in the months after delivery, can be more aggressive and difficult to detect, particularly among older first-time mothers. Public health measures, such as awareness-raising programmes, modifications in lifestyle and selective screening, are needed to reduce these risks.

It is important for women, health professionals and policy makers to understand the relationship between reproductive decisions and breast cancer risk so that appropriate personal choices and the establishment of a precautionary prevention posture can be put into place.

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Dr Arnav Tongaonkar, cancer physician at M|O|C Cancer Care, Vile Parle told moneycontrol,  that at the global level, also, it has been found that age of woman when she had her first full term pregnancy is also a key factor towards the risk of breast-cancer in her lifetime. This relationship is important because India is both experiencing an increase in breast-cancer rates and a shift in reproductive trends.

Several reproductive factors linked to the timing and number of pregnancies directly influence a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Key considerations include:

1. Increased lifetime risk of breast-cancer when first born is late:

Women born with their first full-term birth later face a greater lifetime risk of breast cancer compared to women born with their first full-term early in life. Traditional research and recent reviews indicate increasing risk with increasing age at first birth.

2. India’s reproductive trends are changing implications:

India is seeing later marriages and later first births in urban areas; combined with rising breast-cancer incidence, this demographic shift may contribute to increasing numbers of hormone-related breast cancers in younger-to-middle-aged women.

3. Fewer children (low parity) removes a protective factor:

Each full-term pregnancy confers some risk reduction; women with low parity or who remain nulliparous miss that cumulative protection.

4. Breastfeeding buffers risk but later motherhood can shorten total lactation time:

Longer duration of breastfeeding reduces breast cancer risk. When first births are delayed, total lifetime breastfeeding duration may be lower (or concentrated later), reducing this protective benefit unless breastfeeding is sustained.

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5. Younger vs older maternal age means different tumor biology and detection challenges:

Pregnancy-associated breast cancers (diagnosed during pregnancy or within a year postpartum) are often detected later and can be more aggressive. As maternal age rises, the absolute number of such cases may increase, complicating timely diagnosis.

Research shows that pregnancy-associated breast cancers, those diagnosed during pregnancy or soon after delivery—are often biologically aggressive and detected late.

Can lifestyle modifications help reduce the breast cancer risk associated with delayed childbearing?

Dr Tongaonkar told Moneycontrol, that while delayed childbearing is a non-modifiable factor, risk can be partly offset by healthy habits: maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking, eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and practicing long-duration breastfeeding when possible. These steps have been shown to lower overall breast-cancer risk, regardless of age at first childbirth.

With later childbearing and rising incidence, India needs targeted awareness (including breastfeeding promotion) and better screening pathways for younger symptomatic women, not only mammography for older age groups.

FAQs about breast cancer risk: 

1. How does delayed childbearing affect breast cancer risk?
Delayed childbearing is linked to an increased lifetime risk of breast cancer, as having the first full-term pregnancy later in life can heighten this risk.

2. What are pregnancy-associated breast cancers?
These are breast cancers diagnosed during pregnancy or within a year postpartum, often more aggressive and difficult to detect, especially in older first-time mothers.

3. Can lifestyle changes reduce breast cancer risk related to delayed childbearing?
Yes, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking, eating a balanced diet, and practising long-duration breastfeeding can help lower the overall breast cancer risk.

4. What public health measures can help mitigate breast cancer risks?
Awareness-raising programs, lifestyle modifications, and selective screening are important measures to reduce breast cancer risks associated with reproductive choices.

5. Why is understanding the relationship between reproductive decisions and breast cancer risk important?
It helps women, health professionals, and policymakers make informed choices and establish preventative measures to manage breast cancer risk effectively.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.