[thegreatbeast]

I’m a general surgery resident, with a strong interest in breast cancer, and the literature is just so overwhelming that breastfeeding protects women from breast cancer. For the babies, not breastfeeding increases risk of cancer, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, infection, and *death*!”

I wouldn't want this hysteric treating me.

But Rosie is a comedienne, don't you know, and can't be expected to be responsible for what she says.

[nopardons]

Since most of the women I knew, who have died from breast cancer, BREASTFED their babies,their children had allergies and/or bowel problems, I wouldn't want that lunatic resident for a doctor either.

Rosie is just plain old nuts.

[jra]

God forbid this hysteric should warn you about a legitimate health issue! The NERVE!

Sheesh.

[shhrubbery!]

Since most of the women I knew, who have died from breast cancer, BREASTFED their babies,their children had allergies and/or bowel problems, I wouldn't want that lunatic resident for a doctor either.

Exactly how many women do you know who died from breast cancer who had breastfed their babies? And exactly how long did they nurse their babies? (Nursing for just a few days or weeks is not very protective.)

I could probably match you anecdote for anecdote with women who DID breastfeed their babies and who lived to a ripe old age without ever getting breast cancer. And vice versa.

jra is right. Personal anecdotes aside, the fact is, statistically, breastfeeding is very protective against breast cancer.

It is most protective if the mother nurses the baby for more than six months, and much less so if they quit after just a few weeks --as many career women do.

And whether they nursed their babies or not, women DO increase their risk of breast cancer, if
(a) they wait until after age 30 to have their first child; or
(b) they have an abortion, particularly of their first child.