Epigenetics is a term that describes all the possible ways that genes are switched on and off to make proteins, which make the basic machinery of each of our cells.
Therefore, even though all of the cells in each person carry the same genetic sequence in DNA, cells can look and behave very differently from each other.
Scientists are just befinning to work out how epigenetic systems work together, and how they are affected by lifestyle factors, such as smoking, obesity, stress and alcohol.
Scientific evidence suggests that breast cancer occurs from a combination of factors including lifestyle factors, reproductive history, and inherited factors (genetics).
Recent research from our group and others has shown that changes in epigenetic processes may also contribute to breast cancer risk.
However, almost all of the studies until now have looked at this question in blood cells.
If we really want to understand how epigenetic changes affect breast cancer risk, we need to study normal breast cells. This is why cells in breast milk are so vital.