[Mama]

<p>My friend <a href=" http://www.thebostonchannel.com/newscenter5/282832/detail.html">Kelley</a> recently found out she has breast cancer. She has a three year old and a baby who is less than a year old. She was nursing the baby when she first detected the lump. Since then she's had a mastectomy, reconstructive surgery, and now chemotherapy.</p>

<p>Despite this, Kelley has a bottomless reservoir of optimism. She's a reporter at <a href=" http://www.thebostonchannel.com/index.html">WCVB TV </a>in Boston, and she's even been providing viewers with updates on her story. <a href=" http://www.thebostonchannel.com/health/10869647/detail.html">There are on-line diary entries and video clips</a>. </p>

<p>When I asked Kelley if it was ok to write this post, she sent me a quote (ever the reporter!) from one of her doctors. The doctor emphasized that breastfeeding can actually reduce the risk of breast cancer:</p>

<p><em>"On a population level, we'd see a 5 percent reduction in breast cancer cases globally if everyone breast fed. Also, breast cancer in young women is rare, so the vast majority of lumps are benign. A good way to differentiate is a clogged duct should go away. If you are activley breast feeding, it (the plugged duct) should be gone if the baby empties that breast. If you wean, it should dissipate in about two weeks. "<br />
-- Dr. <a href="http://www.bidmc.harvard.edu/sites/bidmc/search.asp">Hope Ricciotti</a>, OBGYN, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center </em></p>

<p>Similar <a href=" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18152910/">news today</a> confirms that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast cancer. </p>

<p><em>The most important finding of the new study is that breastfeeding seems to lower the risk of developing breast cancer that comes from having children later in life, said Dr. Giske Ursin, associate professor of preventive medicine at the University of Southern California medical school and the study’s lead author.</p>

<p>“Evidence suggests that women who have children after age 25 can reduce their risk of breast cancer by choosing to breastfeed,” Ursin says.</em></p>

<p>Please take a moment to read this <a href=" http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20070417/breastfeeding-cuts-breast-cancer-risk">story,</a> and, for inspiration, visit <a href=" http://www.thebostonchannel.com/health/10723820/detail.html">Kelley's site</a>. </p>

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