Environmental Exposure to Pesticides and Breast Cancer in a Region of Intensive Agribusiness Activity in Brazil: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is a serious public health problem and is the second most prevalent cancer type in the world. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the association between pesticide use and breast cancer in a region of intense agribusiness activity in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on women living in the city of Rondonópolis, in the south of Mato Grosso state. There were 85 cases of women with confirmed breast cancer and 266 controls who were randomly selected from primary health care users. Bivariate and stratified analyses were performed. Multiple logistic regression was then performed, keeping in the final model the factors with a significance level lower than or equal to 0.05 or considered important according to apriori biological criteria. Results: In the final model, living near cropland with pesticides (OR: 2.37; CI: 95% 1.78–3.16) and women aged over 50 years who experienced early menarche (OR: 2.08; CI: 95% 1.06–4.12) had a higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to control subjects. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of exposure to pesticides as an environmental risk factor for the development of breast cancer among women.

Indicators of Genotoxicity in Farmers and Laborers of Ecological and Conventional Banana Plantations in Ecuador

“…Our results are in accordance with results obtained in studies investigating genotoxicity in pesticideexposed populations of the region [24][25][26] as well as increased cancer risk in regions of agricultural use of pesticides [27]. The existing reports also indicate that genotoxic effects and increased cancer risk may not be specific to banana plantations, but can be anticipated in agriculture of various products with a high pesticide application.…”

Exposure to Pesticides and Breast Cancer in an Agricultural Region in Brazil

“…Pesticides may pose a substantial risk for BC development. Current evidence is based, for instance, on case-control studies characterizing female environmental contact with organochlorines. − Risk assessment studies about occasional pesticide exposure and BC development have also shown a positive association in multiple populations, with hazard risks reaching more than 4 times in some cases but not others. ,,,,,, This variability may result from various factors, such as epidemiological studies that analyze the overall population with individuals who are occasionally/accidentally exposed to pesticides versus target populations with high exposure, such as rural workers. The pesticide residues found in the present study were very similar to others identified in surveys of urine samples in populations worldwide.…”

Research of Pesticide Metabolites in Human Brain Tumor Tissues by Chemometrics-Based Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Analysis for a Hypothetical Correlation between Pesticide Exposure and Risk Factor of Central Nervous System Tumors

“…Pesticides are toxic agrochemicals used for crop protection against insects, fungi, and pests. Their widespread use in various agricultural practices not only resulted in environmental contamination but also entailed a direct exposure to a population from a variety of sources, including residues in water, air, dust, and foodstuff, − which represent routes of long-term exposures that have caused potential health problems, such as respiratory diseases, neurological dysfunctions, cancers, and reproductive disorders. − …”