Researchers explore breast milk DNA as early marker for pregnancy-related breast cancer
Scientists at the University of Manchester are testing whether tumour DNA in breast milk can detect breast cancer earlier than current methods, especially in pregnant or postpartum women.
A team led by consultant oncologist Niki Flaum at the University of Manchester is investigating whether tumour DNA shed into breast milk can serve as an early warning sign for breast cancer, a disease that becomes harder to diagnose during pregnancy and lactation. The pilot study enrolls 40 breastfeeding women—25 with typical risk and 15 with heightened risk due to family history or BRCA gene faults—to create a Manchester Breast Biofluid Biobank of over 200 samples for future research.
Early laboratory work, overseen by Florent Mouliere, has identified distinctive DNA fragments in the milk, a crucial step toward a potential screening tool. Participants like midwife Hannah Brennan have contributed milk and blood samples, motivated by personal family histories. The project, funded by The Christie Charity, hopes to offer a non-invasive diagnostic option that could improve outcomes for women facing pregnancy-related breast cancer.
Why it matters
Early detection could dramatically improve survival for women who develop breast cancer during or after pregnancy.
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