A study of cancer of the breast with special reference to its causation and prevention

Abstract

Breast feeding, lactational histories, parity, age at marriage, and socio-economic status were compared in 24 patients with carcinoma of breast, 24 healthy controls, and 48 patients suffering from other diseases. They were matched for age, social class and work or trade of the husbands. Breast cancer patients married later, had shorter lactational histories and had fewer children as compared with controls. Studies in six healthy mothers showed that milk became more alkaline on stasis in the breast. This study confirms the view that breast feeding protects against breast cancer. It suggests that one carcinogenic factor may be an alkaline milieu produced by the stasis of milk in the breasts. An alkaline milieu surrounding epithelial surfaces produces cell proliferation and a marked increase in mitotic activity which may eventually lead to metaplasia and neoplasia.