Cadmium and volumetric mammographic density: A cross-sectional study in Polish women

Abstract

IntroductionCadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal, which is widespread in the environment and has been hypothesized to be a metalloestrogen and a breast cancer risk factor. Mammographic density (MD) reflects the composition of the breast and was proposed to be used as a surrogate marker for breast cancer. The aim of our study was to investigate association between cadmium concentration in urine and mammographic density. MethodsA cross-sectional study included 517 women aged 40-60 years who underwent screening mammography in Łó dź, Poland. Data were collected through personal interviews and anthropometric measurements. Spot morning urine samples were obtained. The examination of the breasts included both craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique views. Raw data ("for processing") generated by the digital mammography system were analysed using Volpara Imaging Software, The volumetric breast density(%) and fibrograndular tissue volume (cm 3 ) were determined. Cadmium concentration in urine was analysed using the standard ICP-MS method. ResultsAfter adjusting for key confounders including age, BMI, family breast cancer, mammographic device, season of the year of mammography, and age at menarche, an inverse association of Cd and volumetric breast density was found, which was attenuated after further adjustment for smoking. Associations of Cd with dense volume were null. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that Cd is not positively associated with breast density, a strong marker of breast cancer risk, when examined in a cross-sectional fashion.

Assessment of salivary cadmium levels and breast density in the Marin Women's Study

“…Although these findings are encouraging, there are several limitations to note. The small sample size in the present study limited our ability to demonstrate statistical significance despite suggestions of a positive association between salivary Cd and breast density, consistent with previous studies that have investigated associations of Cd exposure, breast density, and breast cancer 49–53 . Additionally, many of our demographic and behavioral variables were self‐reported and we recognize those limitations.…”

“…Our study found that age and BMI are statistically significant with BI‐RADS and are trending toward significance in saliva Cd and smoking. Furthermore, salivary quantification of Cd, though not considered the gold standard for diagnostic or screening methods of Cd levels, has the potential for cost‐effective utilization and validity, as previously considered by other studies 50 …”

Potential Health Effects of Heavy Metals and Carcinogenic Health Risk Estimation of Pb and Cd Contaminated Eggs from a Closed Gold Mine Area in Northern Thailand

“…Sohrabi et al (2018) reported that Pb in cancerous tissues in cases of colorectal cancer was significantly higher than that of healthy tissues ( p < 0.05), indicating that Pb may play a role in developing colorectal cancer [ 99 ]. Chronic Cd exposure may lead to damage to the kidneys, liver, skeletal system, and cardiovascular system, as well as to the deterioration of sight and hearing and the development of cancers of the lung, breast, prostate, pancreas, urinary bladder, and nasopharynx [ 100 , 101 , 102 ]. O’Brien et al (2019) reported that positive associations have been reported between urinary Cd concentrations and breast cancer in case-control studies (diagnosis age < 50 years) [ 103 ].…”

Cigarette smoking and mammographic breast density among Polish women

“…It has been documented that tobacco smoke accelerates the metabolism of estradiol to biologically inactive metabolites, increases the binding of estrogens by serum sex hormone-binding globulin, as well as inhibits the formation of estrogens during the aromatization process of androgens into estrogens, eventually leading to a lower circulating level of estrogens and potentially to a decreased MBD [9,13]. While cigarette smoke contains some amounts of cadmium, which has been shown to exert estrogenic-like activity [29], an inverse relation with cadmium was observed, in the population stud ied especially among the post-menopausal women [23]. Inverse volume tended to be lower with the increased intensity of cigarette smoking.…”

“…The study population was described earlier [23]. Briefly, a cross-sectional study of MBD was carried out in the city of Łódź, Poland, in 2013-2018.…”