Breastfeeding is probably associated with a decreased risk of endometrial cancer.
The longer a woman breastfeeds, the lower her risk of endometrial cancer. The risk of endometrial cancer decreases by about 3% for every 3 months a woman breastfeeds.
The protective effect of breastfeeding is likely to be due to hormonal changes. When a woman is producing milk and breastfeeding, the level of the female hormone oestrogen in her body is lower. This slows the growth of endometrial cells and can reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.
Useful links
- Cancer Council Australia, Endometrial cancer: your guide to best cancer care
- Cancer Council Australia, Uterine cancer
- The Royal Women’s Hospital, Endometrial cancer
- Rare Cancers Australia
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation, Uterine cancer
- Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group
- American Cancer Society, Endometrial cancer
- National Cancer Institute, Endometrial cancer
- Australian Cancer Trials
Last updated 4 April 2022
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