New research suggests that not only is breastfeeding the best source of nutrition for your infant, but it can also  significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer. If you have a family history of breast cancer, breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast cancer before menopause by half.

The study found that women who had a mother, sister or other close relative that had breast cancer, reduced their risk of developing it by 59 percent if they had breastfed at all than those women who had not. The results compare favorably to those high risk women who take tamoxifen to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

There did not appear to be any reduced risk for women who breastfed and are not at high risk for breast cancer. The research also found that women that didn't breastfeed, but suppressed the production of breast milk using medication had a 42 percent lower risk for developing breast cancer. This may be due to the engorgement that often occurs among women who do not breastfeed. The engorgement can lead to inflammation which may be linked to breast cancer.

The conclusion is that breastfeeding is best for both the health of the infant and the mother. If the mother is unable to breastfeed, then it is highly recommended that she take breast milk suppression medication to help reduce the risk of breast cancer, especially if she is at high risk of developing the disease.