Pregnancy

Having children has a complex effect on breast cancer risk. Overall, in the long term, pregnancy reduces the risk of breast cancer.

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Having children affects breast cancer risk three ways:

  • In the long term, having children decreases your risk of breast cancer. The more children you have, the lower your risk.
  • The earlier a woman begins her family, the lower her risk of breast cancer.
  • In the short term, research suggests that your risk of breast cancer slightly increases after you give birth, regardless of your age. This increase in risk in temporary.

For more information, see our fact sheet Pregnancy and breast cancer risk: the facts.

Information last reviewed: 1 November 2011