Epigenetic and Immune Mechanisms Linking Breastfeeding to Lower Breast Cancer Rates

Laura Maria Surdacka; Adam Jakubas; Jakub Jagiełło; Karolina Daniłowska; Natalia Picheta; Paulina Gil-Kulik

doi:10.12659/MSM.945451

05 November 2024 : Review article

Epigenetic and Immune Mechanisms Linking Breastfeeding to Lower Breast Cancer Rates

Laura Maria Surdacka

^1ABCDEF, Adam Jakubas

^1CDEF, Jakub Jagiełło

^1CDEF, Karolina Daniłowska

^1CDEF, Natalia Picheta

^1CDEF, Paulina Gil-Kulik

^2ADEG*

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.945451

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e945451

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Introduction Epidemiology of Breast Cancer Development and Changes in Mammary Gland Breast Structure Breast Development in the Prenatal Period Breast Development in the Postnatal Period Breast Development in Puberty Breast Development in Pregnancy Hypotheses on the Protective Mechanisms of Breastfeeding Protective Effects of Hormones on Breast Tissue Protective Effect of Cellular Changes – Increased Differentiation of Breast Cells Protective Effect of Breast Milk Components Breast Stem Cells: Characteristics, Phenotype, Signaling Pathways, and Their Association with Breast Cancer Signaling Pathways and Their Association with Breast Cancer Pregnancy-Induced Changes in Breast Stem Cells and Their Protective Role Future Directions: Mammary Stem Cells as a Potential Target for Therapy Conclusions References

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Figure 1 Cross-section through the breast, showing anatomical and structural changes during different stages of a woman’s life(A) Young woman’s breast - functionally immature. Breast development spans from puberty to the age of 20. There is widening and elongation of glandular ducts compared to the prepubescent state. Dominance of glandular tissue over adipose tissue. (B) Breast during lactation – fully functionally mature breast. Significant development of glandular tissue, with organelles accumulating in the glandular epithelium, preparing the breasts for milk production. (C) Menopause – involution. Glandular tissue regresses, replaced by connective and adipose tissue. The figure was created using GoodNotes 6 for iPads (Time Base Technology Limited, Hong Kong).

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Epigenetic and Immune Mechanisms Linking Breastfeeding to Lower Breast Cancer Rates

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