Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
07:08
Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
DDT/DDE and breast cancer: a meta-analysis
Susan Z Ingber1, Melanie C Buser, Hana R Pohl
1Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology : RTP
|September 12, 2013
Summary
This study found no significant link between dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) or dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) exposure and increased breast cancer risk. While DDE levels were higher in breast cancer cases, the overall evidence does not support the hypothesis.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- DDT exhibits estrogenic properties, prompting investigation into its link with breast cancer.
- Previous meta-analyses have not established a clear association between DDT/DDE exposure and breast cancer risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update a 2004 meta-analysis on dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) exposure in relation to breast cancer.
- To evaluate the current evidence regarding DDT/DDE exposure and human breast cancer risk.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed and Web of Science for studies up to June 2012.
- Meta-analysis calculating summary Odds Ratios (ORs) for DDT/DDE exposure and breast cancer prevalence.
- Analysis of the difference in means of DDT/DDE exposure between breast cancer cases and controls.
Main Results:
- Slight, non-statistically significant elevated ORs for DDE (1.05) and DDT (1.02) were observed.
- Lipid-adjusted analysis revealed significantly higher DDE concentrations in breast cancer cases compared to controls (p=0.01).
- No other significant associations were found in the difference of means analyses.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support the hypothesis that DDT/DDE exposure increases breast cancer risk in humans.
- Further research may be needed to clarify the complex relationship between environmental exposures and cancer.
