Breast milk may spread viruses that cause breast cancer
Breast milk and HPV We all know that faulty genetics is partially responsible for breast cancer in a family. But faulty genetics is not the sole risk factor for breast cancer that spreads from a mother to her daughter(s). Studies suggest that viruses that cause or increase risk of breast cancer can spread from one generation to another through breast milk . Dr. W.K. Glenn and colleagues published a study in BMC Research Notes that had found high risk human papillomavirus and Epstein Barr virus in human breast milk and babies drinking the virus-loaded milk may contract the cancer-causing viruses. The authors reported that multiple viruses including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and mouse mammary tumour virus have already been identified in human milk and high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) sequences have already been identified in breast cancer tissue. Apparently, baby girls who drink milk from their infected mothers may get infected with t