Thank you for the links, metmom. I read both with interest. I think the big issue is "the unknown", as well as bias on both sides. Frustrating since it seems every researcher has an agenda of sorts. Hard to get the real truth. Anyway, I appreciate your efforts in giving me more information.
On the one hand, the companies promoting their products stand to lose a lot of money, and it wouldn't be the first time a company put their pocketbook above consumer welfare.
On the other hand, the people warning everybody don't have a stake in the issue, so you would think that their motivations are more sincere. And it's not like the groups opposed are some kind of whacked out fringe types. They appear to have impressive credentials.
My ob-gyn even told me there was a slightly increased risk with on of the types of breast cancer (the easier to treat one fortunately) and I'm an adult who has had three kids, so I would imagine that there could be genuine concern for younger women.
I know that this thread is not about breast cancer prevention, but as long as the subject came up, I suppose it wouldn't be a bad time to mention that breast-feeding is supposed to be very protective agianst that. Any breast-feeding support group will tell you that, but otherwise, you don't hear much.