The Effect of Breastfeeding on Cervical Dysplasias

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between breastfeeding and precancerous cervical lesions. Materials and Methods This prospective descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary training and research hospital between September 1, 2023, and November 1, 2023. A total of 229 patients who attended the gynecology outpatient clinic and provided information regarding their breastfeeding experiences were included in the study. Patients with abnormal cervical cytology composed the study group (n = 98), whereas those with normal cytology composed the control group (n = 131). The breastfeeding experiences of both groups were then compared in relation to their cervical cytology results. Results The smear results of the control group were normal; however, among the study group, 61.2% had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), 15.2% had high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs), and 22.2% had low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs). Human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity was detected in 48% of the study group, whereas it was detected in 9.2% of the control group. The mean duration of breastfeeding in the study group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (14.11 ± 2.96 months versus 23.60 ± 3.35 months; p < 0.05). Furthermore, we found that the number of individuals who breastfed for 13–36 months (35.1%) was the greatest in the control group, whereas the number of individuals who breastfed for 6–12 months (34.7%) was the greatest in the study group (p < 0.05). Within the study group, the mean breastfeeding duration for the ASCUS subgroup (13.02 ± 1.33 months) was significantly greater than that for both the HSIL (5.91 ± 0.98 months) and LSIL (5.91 ± 0.98 months) subgroups (p < 0.05). Moreover, the total duration of breastfeeding and HPV positivity were identified as the most significant parameters affecting the risk of abnormal cytology; patients who breastfed for < 6 months presented a 5.399-fold greater risk of abnormal cytology than did those who breastfed for > 36 months, and HPV-positive patients presented a 26.369-fold greater risk of abnormal cytology. Conclusion Similar to its effects on various other cancers, breastfeeding and its duration clearly have beneficial effects on cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Early recognition of the precancerous stage of cervical cancer—potentially the first cancer type that could be eradicated through comprehensive screening and control strategies—is crucial. In light of the multitude of benefits that breastfeeding offers for women’s health, including its role in the prevention of gynecological cancers, we advocate the implementation of effective policies aimed at increasing breastfeeding rates.