I have read some of the ongoing debate on the effects of breastfeeding and
the breast cancer rates here in the US on Lactnet and I have to add my 2
cents. I think that Denny Rice probably hit the nail on the head regarding
the use of hormone treated meats here in the US vs. other countries.
Americans seem to be such lovers of meat that our demands have caused
agriculture to attempt to bring the meat to market faster than in previous
generations. (This may be in fact due to the reason that we don't raise our
own cattle/chickens at home- we are out being industrialists instead of
farmers).
I saw a video series in Sunday School about how there is a belief that the
estrogen pumped up meats give artificial rise to our estrogen levels which in
turn give rise to cancers- the gentleman in the video was very convicted (may
turn off some) but he also seemed quite logical in his thought progression.
He was touting something called the Halleluja diet.
Having just gone through a mammogram/lump scare I am willing to give new
things a try. I have to admit that since I have followed some of the advise
of this gentleman I have dropped 40+ pounds and am curious to see what next
years mammos will report. I keep all of you out in Lactnetland who have
shared your stories of breast cancer and breast biopsies in my prayers. I
never put full creadence in one theory over another, but I must admit that
our diet in America seems to have moved farther away from vegan and closer to
that of Tyrannasaurus Rex (a meat eater- for those of you who do not have
anklebiters at home that inform you of dinosaur diets).
  One last little tidbit. Thanks again to Denny for her observation of "oral
defensiveness". I think that this came home clearer to me through the
observation of babies that have been excessively suctioned (I am a nurse and
am aware that we need to do what we need to provide an airway vs. excessive
sx.). As you do more work with attempting to help babes latch on and get
going it becomes obvious who has had excessive oral toilet done and who
hasn't been so vigorously sx.
Thanks for the forum for expression,
Gloria DeHaven BSN, IBCLC

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