Feasibility of Nipple Fluid Aspiration in Dutch Women

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women in the Western
world. Most breast carcinomas arise in the ductal epithelial, the so called
target tissue. Monitoring changes in the epithelial cells could lead to a
breakthrough in breast cancer screening and prevention. Nipple fluid (that
contains epithelial breast cells) can be obtained from nonlactating women in a
non-invasive way with a vacuum suction system. This pilot is part of a project
that aims to set up a program to monitor development of methylation patterns in
nipple aspirates of women at high risk for breast cancer. Such a program would
on one hand postpone or avoid a mutilating operation (reduce morbidity) and on
the other hand prevent development of invasive breast cancer (reduce
mortality).

- Assess the feasibility of the nipple aspiration procedure
- Gain experience in methods and techniques of nipple aspiration
- Identify factors that are associated with the fluid yielding status of
nonlactating women
- Assess the discomfort experienced by women undergoing the procedure

Nipple aspiration will be performed in 30 women after nasal administration of
oxytocin through use of a vacuum-system. A short questionnaire will be
presented to the subject before and after the procedure.

Nipple aspiration (using nasal oxytocin) has been very well tolerated in prior
studies; even better than mammography. Risks for participants are low.
Theoretically, hematoma or mastitis could occur, but these effects appear to be
low in previous studies. Oxytocin could cause painful aching as is experienced
during breast feeding by some women.