Breast cancer risk can be assessed by examining the epithelial cells found in breast milk, according to preliminary study results presented at the 2011 AACR meeting. Kathleen Arcaro and colleagues collected breast milk samples from about 250 women who were scheduled for or who had a breast biopsy and isolated the epithelial cells in the breast milk. The DNA was isolated to look for epigenetic signals (attachment of methyl groups to DNA) and these signals were compared with breast cancer risk assessed using the biopsy results. To view the slides click here. If you are interested in participating in this study or would like to learn more about it contact Dr. Arcaro or check out the research in the Arcaro lab at http://www.breastmilkresearch.org/.