Abstract

Adipocyte/Macrophage Fatty Acid Binding Protein (A-FABP) is linked to breast cancer. Proteins up regulated in breast cancer tissue are often increased in milk from women with and at increased risk of developing breast cancer. We measured A-FABP in human milk from 76 lactating women based on a) Phase of lactation (within 10 days of delivery: transitional-T, mid: 2 month, and wean-W), b) Family history, c) Body mass index, d) Age, and e) Age at First Full Term Pregnancy (FFTP). A-FABP expression was a) Lower in 2 month than T milk independent of family history (p < 0.01), b) Lower in 2 month than W milk only in women without a family history (p < 0.01), and c) Lower in W than T milk only in women with a family history (p = 0.055). A-FABP was not associated with body mass index, age, or FFTP. Lower A-FABP in W than T milk only in women with a family history of breast cancer suggests breastfeeding has a greater breast cancer protective effect in women with than without a family history.

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