I just rec'd in the mail, a "Woman's Health Alert" put out by the Fox Chase Cancer Center. Under "Breast Cancer Myths and Mysteries" the following
was written "How does breast-feeding affect cancer risk?"  A study of
nearly 90,000 middle-aged women showed that those who had never
breast-fed were neither more nor less likely to get breast cancer than
women who did breast-feed their babies, the Harvard School of Public
Health reported in 1996."  [nothing else written--conclusion is it is a
myth!].

Now, I know the evidence is conflicting, but I found this conclusion
misleading at best, as has been discussed previously. (other studies
show differently, also duration and manner of feeding weren't considere,
etc.)  Gee, even Family Circle last month listed breastfeeding as risk reducer!

BTW, the front page was devoted to HRT, and when discussing the risks of
breast cancer connected with that 4 different studies were cited, with
the differing conclusions.  The author did not give a definitive
conclusion.

If you have time, please write  Fox Chase Cancer Center, at Memorial
Hospital of Burlington County, 175 Madison Ave., Mt. Holly, NJ
08060-2099. I will write, of course, but since I don't have a medical
background, it's unlikely I'll be taken seriously.  This health letter
was sent to everyone in this area with the grocery ads.

Melissa Kirsch, J.D., LLLL, Mt. Holly, NJ