Experts have sounded the alarm: more and more cases of postpartum breast cancer. Although its name easily leads to erroneous interpretations, it is not a cancer that appears in women who are pregnant or have just given birth, but rather they are tumors “with differential molecular characteristics” that occur up to 10 years after giving birth. He Spanish Breast Cancer Research Group (GEICAM) warns that postpartum breast cancer is on the rise and that it is already5,000 cases are diagnosed per year in women under 45 years of age.
One of the main lines of research to address this type of cancer, which has a particularly aggressive prognosis, is breast milk. And that is what the Hera project works on, promoted by the Maimónides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (Imibic). “We want to determine if it is feasible to find biomarkers in breast milk that allow us to predict which women are at greater risk of developing breast cancer and thus establish personalized strategies that allow early diagnosis.” To carry out the study you need have at least 2,000 samples from lactating womenso collection points have been set up in all Andalusian provinces. So far, with 1,500 donations, 75% of the required funding has been achieved.
One of the collaborating centers is the HJuan Ramón Jiménez hospital in Huelva, which will host the next 1November 9 and 20 an altruistic collection of milk samples in the morning (from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) and in the afternoon (4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.).
The project coordinator, Javier Cantero, during the press conference to present the project, referred to different lines of research on breastfeeding and breast cancer. Among them is the identification of molecular indicators that can help predict the appearance of cancer through breast milk.
«This food, which contains a rich mix of biomolecules, provides a unique means to detect cellular changes that could indicate the early development of cancer. The final objective of this project would be to develop a robust test such as the heel test, which would allow us with just one or two drops of milk to identify that this woman may develop postpartum breast cancer and at the same time, reach to develop personalized treatments for your treatment», he explained.
The project coordinator also clarified that “we must be aware that this cancer is growing, it is becoming increasingly mother at a later age. Breast milk has always been protective towards babies, but the protective factor it has is being reduced the further the age of having a baby is delayed. We do not intend to change the age of being
madre, we seek to predict to avoid cancersor in case they are given personalized treatment,” Cantero clarified.
The presentation of the project also included the territorial delegate of Health, Manuela Caro; the managing director of the Hospital, Manuel García de la Vega; and the head of the Pediatrics block responsible for the Hospital’s Milk Bank, Sonia Pastor.
Manuela Caro, highlighted the importance of “supporting research to advance in prevention and development of personalized treatmentsthat allow us to talk about hope”, as well as “the selfless and generous participation of the people who collaborate in this study, thereby contributing to science and the future of health.”
For his part, Manuel García de la Vega, highlighted “the spirit of collaboration that makes the Hera projecta joint effort that includes the fundamental participation of nursing mothers and public health professionals, as well as the involvement of the media, associations and groups of nursing mothers.
The HERA Project has the financing of the Carlos III Health Institute, is co-financed by the EU and has the scientific support of the Andalusian Society of Medical Oncology). This is a transversal project that involves healthcare workers from different centers.
