Detect Breast Cancer Through Breast Milk

Almost 70% of breast cancer is detected when it is already in a severe condition or advanced stage. That is what then pushed a number of experts to develop ways to detect it early so that it can be handled easier. Scientists from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, conducted a study to see the level of breast cancer risks through breast milk.

“The content of cells in breast milk can be tested more easily to know whether it contains genes associated with breast cancer,” said one scientist, according to the Daily Mail. “This is a simple and inexpensive way to determine the risk of breast cancer.”

At least one of every eight women have the risk of breast cancer. This number increases 50% in the group of women aged 25 and over. Although most familiar in women in their 50s, the disease is also expected to attack one of every five young women.

So far, the detection of breast cancer rely on mammogram. But it is often difficult to detect the risk of cancer in young women by using this technique. Therefore, the mammogram does not always successfully detect cancer cells in women who have not experienced menopause.

In their research, scientists collected samples of milk from 250 women who had done a biopsy to see the growth of breast cancer cells. Based on DNA testing of breast milk, they found that the milk genes of women with the breast cancer has a distinctive character related to the disease.

Head of the research, Dr. Kathleen Arcaro said, though it still requires further research, this result is enough evidence that breast milk can be used as media to detect breast cancer. She hopes, eventually women who gives birth to a baby can directly do a breast milk test.

In the UK, breast cancer is expected to attack 48 thousand women per year. Besides genetics, the disease is also closely related to the bad lifestyle like smoking,  obesity, and alcohol consumption.