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Breast cancer and environmental risks: where is the link?
Amal K Mitra1, Fazlay S Faruque, Amanda L Avis
1Center for Community Health, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5122, USA. amal.mitra@usm.edu
Journal of Environmental Health
|March 23, 2004
Summary
Environmental factors like certain chemicals and lifestyle choices are linked to female breast cancer risk. Research shows mixed evidence for some agents, highlighting the need for further investigation into these associations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Environmental factors are increasingly recognized for their potential role in female breast cancer etiology.
- A comprehensive review of various environmental agents and their association with breast cancer is warranted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and analyze existing evidence on environmental agents and their association with female breast cancer risk.
- To synthesize findings on specific agents including xenoestrogens, organochlorines, and polychlorinated biphenyls.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of multiple studies focusing on environmental exposures and breast cancer.
- Analysis of data from observational and case-control studies.
Main Results:
- Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy show a moderate increase in risk.
- Evidence for organochlorine exposure is mixed; dieldrin and lindane are associated with risk, while atrazine is not.
- Polychlorinated biphenyls' effects vary by congener; benzene association is debated.
- Smoking and heterocyclic amines from well-done meat are linked to increased breast cancer risk, particularly in specific populations.
Conclusions:
- Multiple environmental factors are significantly associated with breast cancer.
- Socio-demographic factors may influence study inconsistencies.
- Further research is necessary to confirm these environmental associations.