Nonsmoking mothers who breastfed their infants for more than 6 months tend to get breast cancer on average 10 years later than those who breastfed for a shorter duration. Those who smoked got breast cancer about 9 years earlier than the nonsmokers. These findings come from an observational age-at-diagnosis study in Spain. Breastfeeding longer than 6 months conveys many health benefits to the child and protects the mother.
PositiveTip: The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding continued to at least 12 months while other foods are added.