Protocol for Postmenopausal Women at Increased Risk of Developing Breast Cancer

Study of Manual Nipple Fluid Aspiration IN Post-Menopausal Women

To examine nipple aspirate fluid for secretions that may be identified as a high risk indicator for development of breast cancer, and compare those to serum analysis.

To examine nipple aspirate fluid analysis in lactating women for local concentration of estrogen, prolactin, glucocorticoids, insulin, parity, prior lactation and age. NAF secretors have been reported to have modest increase in breast cancer risk compared to non-secretors . Estrogen levels have been found to be markedly higher in NAF samples than in the serum collected from the same women. Estradiol and estrone concentrations in premenopausal women are 10x and 20x greater in NAF samples than in serum and 50x and 35x greater in post-menopausal women not on HRT. It has been suggested that the disparity between serum and NAF levels may be due to local estrogen production via aromatase and sulfatase.

Inclusion Criteria:

• women with high a high risk of breast cancer
• Older than 18

Exclusion Criteria:

• anticoagulants
• marked breast tenderness
• pregnant or within twelve months of breast feeding/childbirth