Alicia, You are right. In fact, it is the low estrogen levels that are responsible for the vaginal dryness that many women experience during lactation! And it is the surges of estrogen over many cycles that probably contributes to these cancers! The only concern that I can agree with is trying to monitor a lumpy lactational breast; however, frequent checks, especially after a thorough breastfeeding session, should be helpful towards diminishing this concern. Also, the mother should be counseled as to what kinds of lumps to be concerned about: plugged ducts and benign lumps tend to be round, symmetrical, and to move with touch; cancerous lumps are usually assymetrical and more "rooted" in postion, not giving to the touch. The "damage" of exposing the breast to estrogen was already done during pregnancy; IMHO, mom should be left alone! -Lisa ************************************************* Lisa Marasco, BA, LLLL, IBCLC [log in to unmask] / [log in to unmask] *************************************************