Does breastfeeding prevent cancer?

The social media was recently set agog with the information that breast cancer can be avoided in women whose breasts are regularly and vigorously sucked. I am a 30-year-old spinster whose mother recently died of breast cancer and will appreciate it if this claim can be confirmed.

Muibat (by SMS)

Although it has been scientifically proven that prolonged breastfeeding of about a year’s duration can lower breast cancer risk, same cannot be said of breast sucking in non nursing women. In addition, there are several reasons why breastfeeding protects the breasts. These include: regular milk production limits the breast cells’ ability to misbehave, most women have fewer menstrual cycles when they are breastfeeding (added to the nine missed periods during pregnancy) resulting in lower estrogen levels as well as the fact that many women tend to eat more nutritious foods and follow healthier lifestyles (limit smoking and alcohol use) while breastfeeding. With the above, the social media claim has no scientific basis.