Age of first-time mothers on the rise in line with an increase in breast cancer. Photo: Supplied.
Australian women are having children progressively later in life, but recent research suggests postponing first pregnancies can escalate the risk of developing breast cancer.
Data from the Australian Institute of Family Studies showed 40 per cent of women in the 1980s gave birth to their first child in their early 20s.
Fast forward to 2010 and the average age of first-time mothers rose to 28.3, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
And the most recent AIHW statistics from 2022 revealed a women’s average first-time pregnancy was at 29.8 years of age.
The ties between late first-time childbirth and breast cancer have been researched extensively worldwide.
Last year a team of Italian researchers found the overlap between average delivery age and breast cancer increased by 200 per cent over the last three decades.
One of Australia’s leading breast cancer surgeons, Associate Professor Sanjay Warrier, said these findings were closely linked to the permanent changes in the structure and function of breast cells that occurred during pregnancy.
“Early pregnancies prompt breast cells to fully mature, reducing the likelihood of DNA mutations that could lead to cancer,” Dr Warrier said.
“The earlier these changes occur, the more protective they are over a woman’s lifetime.”
“Research indicates that women who have their first child after the age of 35 have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who give birth before age 25.”
According to Dr Warrier, delaying pregnancy gives immature breast cells more time to cause harm.
“The longer a woman goes without experiencing the hormonal shifts of pregnancy, the longer her breast tissue is exposed to oestrogen and progesterone,” he said.
“Prolonged exposure to these hormones is associated with an increased risk of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers.”
Dr Warrier made it clear the research was about being informed, not blamed, and said there were several steps women could take to reduce their risk including breast examinations, avoiding unhealthy habits, exercising and balanced eating.
