The fetal cells have proved to be more of a friend than a foe. The Residual cells in women, can protect them from breast cancer. These cells are left in women for a long time after pregnancy. At least this is what the researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center proved to the world.
In this medical study, the researchers tested the blood of about 82 women after their pregnancy. Out of the 82 ladies, about 35 had breast cancer.
During this examination, Fetal microchimerism(FMc) was discovered in the blood samples. The FMc is what guarded these women against possible breast cancer.
The results of the study were published in the October issue of Cancer research. Initially the researchers started looking for male DNA in the blood.
However, they ended up with the FMc’s. The scientists involved in this study were V.K. Gadi, M.D., Ph.D. and J. Lee Nelson, M.D.
After the study, the scientists concluded that women who have already given birth, are less prone to breast cancer. These fetal cells mostly occur in the healthy women who gave birth. This fetal cell study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and Amgen Inc.
More studies like this, needs to be undertaken in the near future.
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