What does the hormone profalactic have to do with breast cancer?

[TXMomOfFaith]

I went to my gyn yesterday about the lump I found under my arm. She ordered a diagnostic mammogram and sonogram and also a blood test to check the hormone profalatic. I am not sure how you spell that but it has something to do with nipple discharge I think. How is this related to breast cancer?

[TXMomOfFaith]

Is any sort of discharge normal or is it all bad?

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  The hormone you're referring to is probably prolactin, which induces milk production in pregnant women.  In women who are not pregnant, the blood level of this hormone is usually low.  An abnormal increase in prolactin in non-pregnant women can cause abnormal milk production, which may manifest as "nipple discharge".  Prolactin doesn't usually have any relation to the occurrence of breast cancer.  I think your doctor is just being thorough in investigating all the possible causes of that discharge.