Women who ever breast-fed have lower risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer.

A number of observational studies suggest that breast-feeding reduces pre-menopausal breast cancer risk, but large prospective studies have been lacking until now. Using a cohort of the Nurses' Health Study II, investigators report that women who had a first-degree relative with breast cancer and ever breast-fed had a lower risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer compared to those who had never breast-fed. This benefit did not seem to persist for women without a family history of breast-cancer.

PositiveTip: Women, especially with a family history of breast cancer, should be encouraged to breast-feed their infants. It's good for the baby and good for Mom!