The Who, What, Where, When and Sometimes, Why.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors: Prolactin Levels

Prolactin is a hormone mainly produced in the pituitary gland (a small gland near the brain). It plays a role in breast growth and the production of milk during breastfeeding.

Women with higher blood levels of prolactin have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer than women with lower levels [305-306].

Measures of prolactin blood levels may one day help estimate breast cancer risk [71-72].

For a summary of research studies on prolactin and breast cancer risk, visit the Breast Cancer Research Studies section.

Learn about other factors linked to the risk of breast cancer.

Updated 04/22/24

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