Preliminary findings out of University of Massachusetts on the use of breast milk cells to measure a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer suggest this method may offer a more accurate risk assessment tool for women than current techniques. In addition, the procedure is non-invasive and provides an earlier analysis of a woman's risk for this widespread cancer.
Mom's Milk for Cancer Risk Assessment More Viable Than Her Breast Tissue
Scientists studying the feasibility of sampling a woman’s breast tissue breast to detect breast carcinogens for use as a biomarker (predictor for future disease) for cancer have had difficulty obtaining ample representative ductal epithelial cells (DECs) from breast tissue. (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers, January 1998).
Yet, researchers in a 1998 study found that breast milk cells could be used as a representative source of epithelial cells to detect breast cancer. Write the authors, “Using this approach, exfoliated DECs may serve as a source of representative cells for studies of breast carcinogenesis and biomarkers of exposure, susceptibility, and effect.” Scientists found a wide range of variance in the amount of viable DNA they could gather after a woman gave birth, with the optimal time between six and eight weeks postpartum.
Breast Milk Cell Screening, Feasible for Majority of Women, Non-Invasive, Earlier Screening
During the 2011 annual American Association for Cancer Research meeting, environmental toxicologist Kathleen Arcaro with the University of Massachusetts presented findings on the viability and advantages of using breast milk for breast cancer risk assessment.
Because such a large majority of women give birth, nearly 80 percent, testing breast milk offers a breast cancer risk assessment tool for most women. Moreover, the approach is non-invasive and offers women an earlier assessment which means earlier intervention if necessary. (Lathrop, Janet, “UMass Amherst Study Suggests Breast Milk May Offer a More Accurate and Personalized Indicator of Breast Cancer Risk.” University of Massachusetts Amherst. April 4, 2011. Web. April 6, 2011.)
Breast milk provides an abundant source of cells for analysis because it flows naturally from all the glands in the breast. Although there are other techniques available to assess cancer risk in women of all ages such as ductal lavage and nipple aspiration, these methods are invasive and yield very few cells, cites the UMass press release, only tens or hundreds rather than the millions available from collecting breast milk.
Breast Cell Methylation Data and Breast Cancer Risk Assessment for Women
DNA methylation is a chemical modification in the body that is an essential part of an organism's development. Essentially this means the underlying mechanism for an organisms’ structure and function undergoes molecular changes, changing its basic make-up, as in the case of cells in the tissue.
Researchers from UMass found that the data analyzed from breast milk cells is "sufficient to tell us that methylation changes in breast cells may be detectable long before actual cancer development. So these changes may allow us to use cells in breast milk to assess breast cancer risk," said Arcaro.
Among the nearly 35 genes known to be methylated in breast cancer, researchers looked for methylation in three: RASSF1, GSTP1 and SFRP1. The first two genes aid in suppressing tumors; the last makes a detoxification protein. "This methylation means that the helpful, tumor-suppressing genes are silenced, putting the woman at higher risk of developing breast cancer," Arcaro explains. "This in itself is not enough; we need to look at a larger panel of genes. But to find these methylation differences between biopsied and non-biopsied breasts when we only looked at three genes is very interesting and encouraging. We’re seeing differences not related to lactation or pregnancy."
Detecting methylation in tissue is crucial to cancer detection and early treatment, and is the center of cancer research today. Scientists now believe changes to an individual’s DNA (epigenetic changes) are largely the result of exposure to environmental factors rather than a genetic DNA mutation.
What is particularly significant with the UMass findings is that because methylation is reversible, early detection of methylation through breast milk sampling could increase prevention behaviors and early treatment options for women if necessary.
While larger samples of gene data need to be gathered from women, preliminary findings of a study out of UMass suggest that breast cancer cell analysis may offer an earlier, more accurate and non-invasive approach to assess breast cancer risk in women than current approaches.
Relate Reading:
Vitamin D Stimulates Anti-Breast Cancer Protein
Mammogram or Thermogram: Breast Cancer Screening Options
Cancer Cells Can Be Silenced, Research Finds
Sources:
- Lathrop, Janet, “UMass Amherst Study Suggests Breast Milk May Offer a More Accurate and Personalized Indicator of Breast Cancer Risk.” University of Massachusetts Amherst. April 4, 2011. Web. April 6, 2011.)
- Thompson, PA et al. “Exfoliated Ductal Epithelial Cells in Human Breast Milk: a Source of Target Tissue DNA for Molecular Epidemiologic Studies of Breast Cancer.” Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers January 1998.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Laura Owens - Laura Owens has a B.S. in Psychology from Rollins College & U of FL. She is a freelance writer with expertise in motivation & wellness.
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