A study in Applied and Environmental Microbiology suggests that some types of breast cancer may have something to do with certain bacteria.   And the finding may lead to the development of new diagnostic methods or treatments.

The study led by Gregor Reid at Western University in Ontario, Canada and colleagues finds certain types of microorganisms including Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus and Bacillus predominantly in breast tissue from women without breast cancer and microbes like Lactococcus and Streptococcus present at high levels in breast cancer tissue.

It has been known for long that women who breastfeed their babies are less likely to develop breast cancer, which prompts the researchers to explore the possibility that certain bacteria may protect breast tissue because breast milk favors the growth of beneficial microbes.

The study cannot determine whether the microorganisms in breast cancer tissue cause the disease or the disease causes the growth of these bacteria.  It is known though that some bacteria like Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcusmay do potentially cause damage to DNA and increase cancer risk. (David Liu)

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