Welcome to the website of Dr. Kathleen Arcaro, Associate Professor of Environmental Toxicology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Dr. Arcaro's current research focuses on the use of breastmilk to assess breast cancer risk. Her findings may lead to new early detection methods and new therapies for breast cancer.
Watch a news segment about one of Dr. Arcaro's studies!
Learn about epigenetics - the changes the functioning of our genes which Dr. Arcaro studies - in this NOVA segment.
Dr. Arcaro is currently looking for breastfeeding women who are possible participants in two University of Massachusetts studies:
Study #1: Participants must 1) have had a
biopsy in the past, or be expecting to have one, and 2) be nursing
or pumping. We are able to collect samples from anywhere in the U.S.
for this study. Participants are given $25 in thanks for their sample and $25 when they submit a copy of their biopsy reports.
Study #2: Participants must 1) be 25 or under and nursing, or 2) have had
a child in their mid-20's or earlier, and now be in
their mid-30's or older and nursing another
child. We are only able to collect samples within a 50 mile radius of Amherst, Massachusetts for this study. Participants are given $25 in thanks.
If you qualify to participate in a study you will be asked to complete a consent form and a questionnaire, and to donate a breastmilk sample from each breast.
For more information about this study, see the "Donate breastmilk for a study" page. You can also download a copy of the study brochure and flyer for study #1.
