As I've written before,
I have the privelege of working with Professor Kathleen Arcaro at the
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, on her groundbreaking breast
cancer/breastmilk research.
Kathleen analyses breastmilk to study DNA changes in breast cells, which
are naturally present in breastmilk, and their relationship to breast
cancer. It's very gratifying work because a better understanding of
these patterns may one day lead to new early detection, prevention and
treatment strategies for breast cancer. Here's a sampling of some of the
recent press coverage about this research.
Our current goal is to recruit African-American mothers to donate milk
samples. Why African-American moms? Because Kathleen wants to
ensure that her findings apply to all women, and to do that she needs a
diverse sample of mothers participating. Having African-American moms
well represented in this research is of particular interest because we
have different patterns of breast cancer than women of other races. You
may know that black women are more likely to get triple negative breast
cancer, which is more aggressive and more likely to reocur, spread
beyond the breast and result in death.
One of my main duties is helping Kathleen recruit moms to participate in
her studies. The response to her work has been incredible, but we still
need more black moms to donate breast milk! So, the UMass Breastmilk Lab is currently seeking:
•African American mothers who are nursing
•Living anywhere in the U.S.
•Willing to donate a *fresh* breastmilk sample (shipped via overnight mail at the lab's expense)
•Willing to fill out a consent form and questionnaire
•Living anywhere in the U.S.
•Willing to donate a *fresh* breastmilk sample (shipped via overnight mail at the lab's expense)
•Willing to fill out a consent form and questionnaire
Participants will receive $25 in thanks - and the knowledge that they
are advancing our understanding of breast cancer! I hope that you can
donate, or help us find moms willing to donate milk for this important
research.
And if you're African-American (nursing or not), PLEASE consider signing up for the Love/Avon Army of Women, who are funding this important research. Please select "Breast milk study" when asked how you heard about the Army of Women.
