Breastfeeding and Breast Cancer

Isabelle Romieu, Mauricio Hernandez-Avila, Eduardo Lazcano, Lizbeth Lopez and Ricardo Romero-Jaime; Am J Epidemiol 1996; 143:543-52

This study of Mexican women attempts to link length of lactation (maternal milk production) with breast cancer. Reportedly, less lactation is associated with increased breast cancer risk. I don't really have much to say about this study, but it is notable for the following quote:

The declining trend in fertility and lactation among Mexican women could lead to a major epidemic of breast cancer such as that observed in Western countries.

Whoa! Even the National Cancer Institute recognizes that the observed increase in breast cancer is mostly due to improved detection and diagnosis, and longer lifespans (cancer is largely a disease of aging).

Not breastfeeding will cause a major epidemic of breast cancer?! And not just your garden-variety, run-of-the-mill epidemic, but a major epidemic! Is this just an overstatement or was something was lost in the Spanish-to-English translation?

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