A study in Cordoba is looking for mothers who donate breast milk to detect signs of postpartum breast cancer.

The pioneering study in Cordoba involves recruiting breastfeeding women living in the province of Cordoba to collect significant amounts of breast milk for follow-up research. The goal of this work, initiated by the New Imibic Cancer Therapies Group led by Drs. Juan de la Haba and Sylvia Gil, is to determine whether it is possible to find biomarkers in breast milk that will allow us to predict which women are at greater risk of developing cancer. developing breast cancer. In this way, personalized strategies can be developed to allow early diagnosis.

Postpartum breast cancer is cancer that is diagnosed within ten years after a woman becomes a mother. It has an increasing incidence and a particularly aggressive prognosis compared to other types of breast cancer. In the province of Cordoba, today this cancer accounts for 60% of cases diagnosed in people under 45 years of age, that is, a figure of 80 to 100 cases per year in a population of about 700,000 inhabitants.

In the presentation of the project entitled Hera – Dr. Juan de la Haba named the goddess of the Milky Way as the reasons for the higher prevalence of postpartum breast cancer: late age of first pregnancy and breastfeeding. This is precisely what was one of the reasons for launching this project. Moreover, as De la Haba noted, it has been observed that this type of cancer “has different molecular and genetic characteristics than other types of breast cancer and that its behavior is more aggressive.”

To date, there is no conclusive scientific evidence to determine whether there is any connection between breastfeeding, delayed motherhood and the occurrence of this type of cancer. At the same time as this investigation, the Val d’Hebron hospital is conducting another investigation with similar characteristics, although the main difference between them is that the investigation in Cordoba aims to identify risk groups. “We want to know which women who become mothers later in life are likely to develop postpartum breast cancer due to these biomarkers present in breast milk.”

For Imibic’s scientific director Pablo Perez, the project “is part of modern medicine, in which we are looking for prediction and precision.” The Reina Sofía Hospital, the San Juan de Dios Hospital and the network of health centers of the health district of Cordoba and Guadalquivir collaborate with this institute, since participating women can donate milk both in hospitals and in health centers of the Southern Levante and West.

Delay in age of first pregnancy and breastfeeding as contributing factors for postpartum breast cancer

Since ancient times, science has always promoted breastfeeding because of its benefits for both mother and baby. However, evidence-based studies confirm that older age at first birth (35 years or older) is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer after childbirth compared with those who had their first birth at a younger age.

These same studies highlight the importance of following World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for duration of breastfeeding, taking into account the protective factor it provides for the mother. In this sense, De la Haba also notes that abrupt weaning becomes another risk factor for the development of this type of cancer.

The increase in incidence of this disease is also due to changes in lifestyle factors and possibly greater awareness and improvements in diagnostic methods. However, the specificity of the hormonal and physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period also plays a critical role, creating challenges in identifying and treating this subtype of cancer.

How can breastfeeding mothers participate?

So far, this study has collected samples from more than 400 breastfeeding women, and anyone can obtain information and make an appointment through the website www.proyectohera.es. Each woman donates ten to 30 ml of breast milk from each breast for subsequent storage in the Biobank for five to ten years. After donating blood at the hospitals or health centers mentioned above, women will also be monitored by breastfeeding mothers. Based on statistics, it will be known who will develop this type of cancer in the future and the characteristics of the milk they donate will be studied.

De la Haba noted that “there is no deadline for participation” as the goal is to reach or exceed the 2,000 women figure. Although the doctor said it was “impossible to take the time” to know the results of the study, the first tests are already being carried out to determine “normality values” that will allow differences between milk donated by non-postpartum mothers. breast cancer and those who have not developed it.

The study, he said, “has become a city project, both because of the level of commitment and cooperation of the mothers and the huge network of researchers and health professionals involved, as well as the support of associations and groups that work with breastfeeding mothers. (Banco de Leche, Almamar and Comat), as well as companies and initiatives that provide part of the economy that makes this possible (Covap and How can I help).