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