to the editor: This is just another article about a study that does not inform or inform women of statistically significant ways to reduce their risk of breast cancer (“When should you get a mammogram? We examine the conflicting advice,” May 19). It is well known medically that simply giving birth reduces the risk of breast cancer. by 7% per baby. But there is another well-researched risk reduction method that is not well known and is within the control of most women after having a child.
For every year of breastfeeding a woman completes, her lifetime risk of breast cancer down 4.3%. Breastfeed only two children for two years each (a minimum duration recommended by the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics) gives that mother a 17.2% reduction in breast cancer risk. This, combined with the act of giving birth twice, gives a total risk reduction of 31.2%.
Women should be well informed about prevention and risk reduction methods, rather than simply discovering them after the fact.
Chele Marmet, Los Angeles
