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+# EWAS Results: *Prediagnostic Breast Milk DNA Methylation Alterations in Women Who Develop Breast Cancer*
+
+## Creators
+- **Lucas A. Salas**  
+- **Sara N. Lundgren**  
+- **Eva P. Browne**  
+- **Elizabeth C. Punska**  
+- **Douglas L. Anderton**  
+- **Margaret R. Karagas**  
+- **Kathleen F. Arcaro**  
+- **Brock C. Christensen**  
+
+## Description
+
+Prior candidate gene studies have shown **tumor suppressor DNA methylation** in breast milk is associated with a history of breast biopsy—an established risk factor for breast cancer. To further explore **breast milk as a tissue-specific biospecimen** for investigations of breast carcinogenesis, this study measured **genome-wide DNA methylation** in breast milk from women with and without a diagnosis of breast cancer across **two independent cohorts**.
+
+- **DNA Methylation Assessment:** Performed using **Illumina HumanMethylation450k** on **87 breast milk samples**.
+- **Study Approach:** Conducted an **Epigenome-Wide Association Study (EWAS)** to identify **CpG sites** associated with breast cancer diagnosis.
+- **Design:** Compared methylation patterns in prospectively collected milk samples from the **breast that would develop cancer** vs. samples from **women without a diagnosis**.
+- **Statistical Method:** Used **linear mixed effects models**, adjusted for:
+  - History of breast biopsy
+  - Age
+  - RefFreeCellMix cell estimates
+  - Time of delivery
+  - Array chip
+  - Subject as a random effect
+
+## Availability
+
+The full analysis results are deposited in this dataset.