Increased Risk of Cancer Mortality Associated with Cadmium Exposures in Older Americans with Low Zinc Intake

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) exposure has been associated with increased cancer risk, and zinc (Zn) appears to reduce that risk. However, little is known about the combined influence of Cd and Zn on cancer risk. The aim of this study was to examine relationships between Cd exposure, Zn intake, and cancer mortality risks. The analyses used 5204 subjects aged 50 yr or older from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988-1994) and the mortality follow-up through December 31, 2006. Cox proportional hazards models were used to test associations. In total, 569 cancer deaths were recorded during an average follow-up of 12.4 yr, including 155 from lung, 61 from prostate, and 26 from breast cancer. A positive association between Cd and cancer mortality risk was identified for both genders. Despite limited cause-specific deaths, the increased risk associated with Cd was significant for lung cancer in men. All-cause cancer mortality risk was significantly elevated among women with Zn intakes below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) compared with women who met the RDA. The effect of low dietary Zn was not observed in men. Similar trends for prostate and breast cancer deaths were not significant. There was a significant inverse association between cancer deaths and the Zn-to-Cd ratio for both genders. Cd exposure is an important independent risk factor of cancer mortality in older Americans and the risk appears exaggerated in those with inadequate dietary Zn. Additional studies are required to elucidate the mechanism(s) by which Zn participates in the carcinogenic influence of Cd.

Kidney Cadmium Toxicity, Diabetes and High Blood Pressure: The Perfect Storm

“…Lin et al (2014) found NHANES (2011-2012 adults with lower zinc status having greater risk of kidney toxicity (OR 3.38,95% CI,1.39,8.28), comparing with those who had higher zinc status. Lin et al (2013) followed ≥ 50-yr NHANES III participants and they found greater risk of death from cancer among women with zinc intakes below 15 mg/day, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), compared with women who met the RDA. The association of low zinc intakes and cancer death, observed by Lin et al (2013), could thus be explained by higher Cd burden among those with low zinc intakes, as noted in the study of Vance and Chun (2015).…”

“…Lin et al (2013) followed ≥ 50-yr NHANES III participants and they found greater risk of death from cancer among women with zinc intakes below 15 mg/day, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), compared with women who met the RDA. The association of low zinc intakes and cancer death, observed by Lin et al (2013), could thus be explained by higher Cd burden among those with low zinc intakes, as noted in the study of Vance and Chun (2015). Taken together these findings suggest minimization of dietary Cd absorption can be achieved through adequate intake of iron and zinc to meet the body requirement and to maintenance of optimal body status of these essential metals.…”

A study of serum Cadmium and lead in Iraqi postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

“…[31,36] Thus attention to factors that affect postmenopausal bone loss may lessen or at least control blood lead levels. [31] Although the overall role of cadmium and lead in the etiology of osteoporosis is limited but in view of the high prevalence of this disease, even a little effect is important at the population level since everyone has lifelong exposure to these potential carcinogens [37,38] ; especially in Asian diet [39] , this emphasizes the importance of efforts needed to reduce cadmium and lead pollution of the environment.…”

Association between Urinary Cadmium and All Cause, All Cancer and Prostate Cancer Specific Mortalities for Men: an Analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) Data

“…Cadmium is a known human carcinogen (Huff et al, 2007) (Satarug, 2012), it has been linked to prostate cancer in several studies (van Wijngaarden et al, 2008) (Julin et al, 2012) (Lin et al, 2013). Cadmium exposure is common and has been related to pathogenesis of several human and animal cancers (Huff et al, 2007) (Satarug, 2012).…”

“…There are numerous molecular factors (Dahiya et al, 1996;Shand and Gelmann, 2006) as well as environmental exposure to potentially toxic materials have been thought to be related to carcinogenesis of prostate cancer. For example, cadmium exposure has been suggested in prostate cancer pathogenesis by several population based epidemiology studies (van Wijngaarden et al, 2008) (Julin et al, 2012) (Lin et al, 2013) and laboratory studies (Aimola et al, 2012).Cadmium is ubiquitous occurring in high quality paints, batteries and is a common food contaminant. Cadmium has also been linked to pathogenesis of several other human and animal cancers (Huff et al, 2007) (Satarug, 2012 Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) III public use data have been used to identify potential factors associated with prostate cancer pathogenesis from factors such as dietary intakes (Cui et al, 2004), life-style (Shiels et al, 2009), dietary supplement use (Tseng et al, 2005), obesity (Rohrmann et al, 2007a) (Parekh et al, 2010) , and environmental exposure to toxins such as boron (Cui et al, 2004).…”