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Recent studies have found that early warning signs of breast cancer can be seen through breast milk. In this study, breast milk samples were obtained from three women. Photos/Getty Images
The protein in breast milk was compared between women and 23 women shown to be different in those with cancer. The lead researcher also claims this set of proteins can be seen in blood samples.
Reporting from The Sun, Sunday (17/4/2022) this could lead to blood tests to detect protein changes in women of all ages.
Danielle Whitham, a doctoral candidate at Clarkson University in New York, said the study could change the way women are monitored for breast cancer and help in early diagnosis. It may even lead to higher survival rates in women.
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“Although mammograms are a useful tool for detecting breast cancer early, they are not usually recommended for low-risk women under 40,” Whitham said.
“Because the biomarkers we found in breast milk can also be detected in blood serum, screening could potentially be carried out in women of any age who use blood or breast milk,” he added.
All cancer patients in this study had invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), one of the most common types of breast cancer. However, the researchers say their approach could be used to identify biomarkers for other types of breast cancer.
The first woman was asked to have a mammogram between the ages of 50 and 53, and every three years thereafter until the age of 71. Anyone with symptoms of the disease, including a lump or change in the breast or nipple, should see a doctor immediately.
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The Clarkson University team plans to scale up their study to include more women to substantiate these findings. The research was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Philadelphia.
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