Potential exposure to PCBs, DDT, and PBDEs from sport-caught fish consumption in relation to breast cancer risk in Wisconsin.

Abstract

In Wisconsin, consumption of Great Lakes fish is an important source of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and other halogenated hydrocarbons, all of which may act as potential risk factors for breast cancer. We examined the association between sport-caught fish consumption and breast cancer incidence as part of an ongoing population-based case-control study. We identified breast cancer cases 20-69 years of age who were diagnosed in 1998-2000 (n = 1,481) from the Wisconsin Cancer Reporting System. Female controls of similar age were randomly selected from population lists (n = 1,301). Information about all sport-caught (Great Lakes and other lakes) fish consumption and breast cancer risk factors was obtained through telephone interviews. After adjustment for known and suspected risk factors, the relative risk of breast cancer for women who had recently consumed sport-caught fish was similar to women who had never eaten sport-caught fish [relative risk (RR) = 1.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.86-1.17]. Frequency of consumption and location of sport-caught fish were not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Recent consumption of Great Lakes fish was not associated with postmenopausal breast cancer (RR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.57-1.07), whereas risk associated with premenopausal breast cancer was elevated (RR = 1.70; 95% CI, 1.16-2.50). In this study we found no overall association between recent consumption of sport-caught fish and breast cancer, although there may be an increased breast cancer risk for subgroups of women who are young and/or premenopausal.

Improving Organochlorine Biomarker Models for Cancer Research

“…Therefore, incorporating appropriate pharmacokinetic variables may also improve risk estimates. As an example, McElroy et al found an adjusted odds ratio of 1.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.50) for premenopausal breast cancer associated with fish consumption (as a surrogate for organochlorine compounds); covariates included BMI at age 18 years and BMI-gain after that age (65). …”

Expression of NK cells activation receptors after occupational exposure to toxics

“…Indeed, it has been widely documented that workers in industries that make, formulate or pack drugs or laboratory reagents, or those that elaborate products for industrial use, have a higher risk of developing anemia, leukemia, and cancer of bladder, stomach, lung, prostate or breast. This higher risk is considered to be mainly due to the fact that many of these compounds are mutagenic or have an estrogenic effect [25][26][27][28][29][30].…”

Evaluating Breast Cancer Risk under Exposure to Environmental Estrogen-Like Chemicals

“…Recent consumption of sportcaught fish was not associated with risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women but was associated with the risk in premenopausal women (relative risk (RR) 1.70, 95% CI 1.16-2.50) [58]. Whether the result occurred by chance or not, more studies with parallel results will help to ensure whether the contamination of PBDEs in the environment and food is associated with the development of breast cancer, especially in young and premenopausal women.…”

“…McElroy and colleagues [58] evaluated recent consumption of Great Lakes fish exposed to organic pollutants, including PBDEs. Recent consumption of sportcaught fish was not associated with risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women but was associated with the risk in premenopausal women (relative risk (RR) 1.70, 95% CI 1.16-2.50) [58].…”