Breastfeeding can substantially lower risk of cancer: Aussie research

Within the results was also an interesting correlation between the duration of the breastfeeding and subsequent lowering of the likelihood of contracting uterine cancer, with women who breastfed for three to six months having a 7 percent less risk of the cancer, and women who breastfed for six to nine months having their risk reduced by 11 percent.

"In other words, a woman who breastfed two children for nine months each had around a 22 percent lower risk of uterine cancer than a woman who had never breastfed her children," Jordan said

However, not every woman is able to breastfeed, and Jordan said there are other things that women can do to lower the risk of endometrial, or uterine cancer.

"Having a baby reduces your risk, similarly taking the oral contraceptive pill can reduce the risk of endometrial cancer; but probably the best thing to do is make sure you have a healthy lifestyle," Jordan said.

"Eat well, avoid putting on weight, and exercise regularly, these are all key things to reduce the risk of uterine cancer."