Breast cancer early detection - is it feasible to use breast milk as a liquid biopsy to detect breast cancer?
Finding breast cancer early is very important, but standard mammograms are difficult to carry out while a woman is breastfeeding. Breastfeeding also protects against breast cancer, so stopping early is not ideal. This research study, based in Manchester, is investigating whether breast milk can be used as a liquid test to spot early signs of cancer. Women who are breastfeeding or expressing milk, and who gave birth at least two weeks ago, can participate. Taking part involves donating a small amount of breast milk and a routine blood sample. You will also answer questions about your health and share your thoughts on the experience. Researchers will follow up on participants' health over ten years using NHS databases. The aim is to learn the best way to collect and test breast milk to help build safer, simpler screening tools for mothers in years to come.
De un vistazo
¿De qué trata este estudio?
Welcoming a new baby is a special time, but breast cancer can sometimes develop during pregnancy or in the years after birth. Finding breast cancer as early as possible gives the best chance of successful treatment. However, screening breastfeeding mothers is difficult. Breast tissue naturally changes and becomes much denser during lactation, making standard mammograms less accurate. Doctors usually recommend waiting until breastfeeding stops before having a mammogram, even though breastfeeding itself provides natural protection against breast cancer.
Doctors and scientists at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust are looking for a better way. They want to find out if breast milk can act as a 'liquid biopsy'. Breast milk naturally contains shed cells and tiny fragments of genetic material (DNA) from the breast tissue. By examining these tiny clues in a laboratory, doctors hope to detect cancer long before a lump can be felt, all without interrupting breastfeeding.
This study is a feasibility project. This means its main goal is to discover whether collecting, transporting, and testing breast milk is practical and works well in real life. The researchers also want to learn how comfortable women feel about providing samples for this kind of research. The results could help create entirely new screening methods to protect mothers in the future.
Puntos clave
- Tests whether breast milk can be used to spot early signs of breast cancer.
- Open to breastfeeding or expressing women aged 18+ who are at least 14 days postpartum.
- Welcomes women with average risk, high genetic risk, or a past cancer diagnosis.
- Involves a breast milk donation, a routine blood test, and a short spoken interview.
- Does not require you to take new drugs or change how you feed your baby.
- Health is followed up safely over 10 years through routine NHS records.
¿Quién puede ser elegible?
This study is open to women aged 18 and older who are currently breastfeeding or expressing breast milk. To take part, your baby must have been born at least 14 days (two weeks) ago.
The researchers are keen to include women from all risk backgrounds. You can take part if you have an average risk of breast cancer, a very high risk (such as having a family history or a known genetic change), or if you have had a past or present diagnosis of breast cancer.
You will not be able to take part if you cannot give fully informed consent, or if you have an illness that would make it too difficult or unsafe to attend visits and complete the study checks.
¿Podría este estudio ser adecuado para ti?
Responde estas preguntas rápidas para ver si puedes ser elegible. Esto es solo una guía: el equipo de investigación toma la decisión final.
- I am a woman aged 18 or older.
- I am currently breastfeeding or expressing breast milk.
- It has been at least 14 days since my baby was born.
- I am able to provide milk and blood samples and attend a study visit.
- I can give my own informed consent to join the research.
¿En qué consiste la participación?
Taking part in this study does not involve any experimental medications. You will attend a study visit where you will be asked to provide a small sample of breast milk (about 20 millilitres, or four teaspoons, from each breast) and a standard blood sample (about 10 millilitres, or two teaspoons). You will also complete a short health questionnaire and an audio-recorded interview to share your views on the process.
The study team will record basic medical details, including your age, your baby's age, previous pregnancies, and any past breast issues. A small group of five participants will be invited to attend a second visit eight weeks later to repeat the samples and interview. After your visit, there are no ongoing clinic tasks; the researchers will simply check your health status over the next 10 years by matching your NHS number with national health registries.
Riesgos y beneficios potenciales
Ubicaciones (2)
- St Marys Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustSolo ciudadManchester, England
- Nightingale Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustSolo ciudadManchester, England
Preguntas comunes
Do I have to stop breastfeeding to take part?
No. The entire goal of the study is to test breast milk while you are actively feeding, so you can carry on breastfeeding your baby as normal.
Will providing milk samples reduce my milk supply?
No. The amount needed is small (around 20ml per breast), which will not harm your milk supply or take away what your baby needs.
Is this a proven test for breast cancer?
Not yet. This is early research to find out whether breast milk testing is accurate and practical enough to be used as a test in the future.
Will I get personal cancer screening results from my sample?
The study tests samples for scientific purposes rather than routine diagnosis. However, if anything clearly suspicious is spotted, the team will contact you and arrange full NHS care.
Can I leave the study after I have joined?
Yes. You are free to change your mind and stop participating at any time, and you do not have to give a reason.
Cómo obtener más información
Maggie Young
Siempre hable con su médico de cabecera o especialista antes de decidir participar en un estudio.
¿Interesado en participar?
Discusión
Discusión comunitaria
Impulsado por nuestro foro en community.patient.info. Por favor, sea respetuoso — esto no es un consejo médico.