Study: Breast cancer risk increases after giving birth

[KMSP Fox 9, January 01, 0001] According to new research out this week, women who have babies have an increased risk for breast cancer, compared to women who don't give birth.

The study from the University of North Carolina reports that the risk rises and then falls over time, peaking about five years after birth.

Allina Health surgical oncologist Dr. Annie Callahan says the changes in risk are small.

“This certainly should not be used to make any decisions about childbirth or timing of childbirth because that's an intensely personal decision that is made by everybody at their own time, and breast cancer risk shouldn't ever be something that fits into that,” Callahan said.