A team of Australian researchers has uncovered how pregnancy and breastfeeding protect women from developing breast cancer in a breakthrough they hope will shape new ways to prevent and treat the disease.

While it has been known for decades that women who have children and breastfeed are less likely to develop breast cancer, scientists previously believed this was due to hormonal changes during pregnancy.

Stephanie and Nathaniel, with their daughters April, 4, and Eliza, 20 months, at Booran Reserve in Glen Huntly. Credit: Penny Stephens

Now, a team of researchers led by Professor Sherene Loi, of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, has discovered a key driver of cancer protection: an accumulation of infection-fighting T-cells in the breasts.

This important immune process takes place

See Full Page