The time has come for me to make my introduction.  Although I am a newly
graduated certified nurse-midwife, I have been a maternity nurse for over 20
years.  I have had the pleasure several years ago of working with Jan Barger
at the birthing center in Michigan and have continued to work there over the
last 12 years.   I am the proud mother of a beautiful 11 year old daughter
who began nursing at my breast within a 1/2 hour after her birth and did not
stop for 14 mo.                                                        As the
final requirement for a MSN from Case Western Reserve U. in Cleveland I am
participating as a research assistant at Wayne State U. in Detroit.  The
purpose of the study is to examine the molecular composition of breast fluids
for the presence of anti-carcinogenic factors.  Specifically we will be
looking at nitrogen, fat, carbohydrates, prolactin, carotenoids and cell
dysplasia.  Volunteers will be women who are within 24 months postpartum.  We
will have a group who have breast fed a min. of 6 mo. and have weaned for at
least 3 mo.  We will be comparing these breast fluids with mothers who have
not breast fed.  Women will be instructed in their homes in how to express
these fluids.  A pilot study done in 1993, indicated that post-lactating
women across the life span can express small amounts of breast fluids with
warming, massage and proper expression technique and these fluids contain
carotenoids, an anti-carcinogenic.  We are limiting our sample to women
(N=100) ages 18-45 and  within 2 years of giving birth because we anticipate
that non-lactators may have more difficulty obtaining fluids beyond this
time.  We are planning the next step in this research to look at breast fluid
composition after long term lactation.
     I know the implications of this research are obvious to all of you.
 Those of you in the southeastern corner of Michigan would be of great help
if you could let qualifiying friends or clients know of our need for
volunteers.  We also have a RA who will be working out of the Lansing, MI
area, so we can use volunteers from that area too.  We anticipate that we
will be collecting data for at least 2 years so even those who do not qualify
now can volunteer for future participation.
     We are collecting data on participant's nutrition as well.  Although the
pilot study did not show any relationship to carotenoid level and carotenoid
intake we will be collecting this data again because obviously a null
hypothysis is an important finding, too.  If any of you know of a resource
for a good program for food analysis please let me know.
     Primary Investigator- Chandice Covington, PhD, RN, (313) 577-2344
     My e-mail, Debbie McBain, CNM = [log in to unmask]
     Lansing contact- Leanne Nantais-Smith, (517)224-4663 or (517) 483-2670
Thank you all for your help. I have tried to keep my explanation succinct so
let me know if you have any questions.  I will keep you updated on our
efforts.