TY - JOUR
T1 - Occupation and occupational exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in male breast cancer
T2 - A case-control study in Europe
AU - Villeneuve, Sara
AU - Cyr, Diane
AU - Lynge, Elsebeth
AU - Orsi, Laurent
AU - Sabroe, Svend
AU - Merletti, Franco
AU - Gorini, Giuseppe
AU - Morales-Suarez-Varela, Maria
AU - Ahrens, Wolfgang
AU - Baumgardt-Elms, Cornelia
AU - Kaerlev, Linda
AU - Eriksson, Mikael
AU - Hardell, Lennart
AU - Févotte, Joëlle
AU - Guénel, Pascal
PY - 2010/12/1
Y1 - 2010/12/1
N2 - Objectives: Male breast cancer is a rare disease of largely unknown aetiology. In addition to genetic and hormone-related risk factors, a large number of environmental chemicals are suspected of playing a role in breast cancer. The identification of occupations or occupational exposures associated with an increased incidence of breast cancer in men may help to identify mammary carcinogens in the environment. Methods: Occupational risk factors for male breast cancer were investigated in a multi-centre case-control study conducted in eight European countries which included 104 cases and 1901 controls. Lifetime work history was obtained during in-person interviews. Occupational exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (alkylphenolic compounds, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins) were assessed on a case-by-case basis using expert judgement. Results: Male breast cancer incidence was particularly increased in motor vehicle mechanics (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.4) with a dose-effect relationship with duration of employment. It was also increased in paper makers and painters, forestry and logging workers, health and social workers, and furniture manufacture workers. The OR for exposure to alkylphenolic compounds above the median was 3.8 (95% CI 1.5 to 9.5). This association persisted after adjustment for occupational exposures to other environmental oestrogens. Conclusion: These findings suggest that some environmental chemicals are possible mammary carcinogens. Petrol, organic petroleum solvents or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are suspect because of the consistent elevated risk of male breast cancer observed in motor vehicle mechanics. Endocrine disruptors such as alkylphenolic compounds may play a role in breast cancer.
AB - Objectives: Male breast cancer is a rare disease of largely unknown aetiology. In addition to genetic and hormone-related risk factors, a large number of environmental chemicals are suspected of playing a role in breast cancer. The identification of occupations or occupational exposures associated with an increased incidence of breast cancer in men may help to identify mammary carcinogens in the environment. Methods: Occupational risk factors for male breast cancer were investigated in a multi-centre case-control study conducted in eight European countries which included 104 cases and 1901 controls. Lifetime work history was obtained during in-person interviews. Occupational exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (alkylphenolic compounds, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins) were assessed on a case-by-case basis using expert judgement. Results: Male breast cancer incidence was particularly increased in motor vehicle mechanics (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.4) with a dose-effect relationship with duration of employment. It was also increased in paper makers and painters, forestry and logging workers, health and social workers, and furniture manufacture workers. The OR for exposure to alkylphenolic compounds above the median was 3.8 (95% CI 1.5 to 9.5). This association persisted after adjustment for occupational exposures to other environmental oestrogens. Conclusion: These findings suggest that some environmental chemicals are possible mammary carcinogens. Petrol, organic petroleum solvents or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are suspect because of the consistent elevated risk of male breast cancer observed in motor vehicle mechanics. Endocrine disruptors such as alkylphenolic compounds may play a role in breast cancer.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=78649644144&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1136/oem.2009.052175
DO - 10.1136/oem.2009.052175
M3 - Article
C2 - 20798010
AN - SCOPUS:78649644144
SN - 1351-0711
VL - 67
SP - 837
EP - 844
JO - Occupational and Environmental Medicine
JF - Occupational and Environmental Medicine
IS - 12
ER -