Measurement of paraben concentrations in human breast tissue at serial locations across the breast from axilla to sternum

Abstract

The concentrations of five esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) were measured using HPLC-MS/MS at four serial locations across the human breast from axilla to sternum using human breast tissue collected from 40 mastectomies for primary breast cancer in England between 2005 and 2008. One or more paraben esters were quantifiable in 158/160 (99%) of the tissue samples and in 96/160 (60%) all five esters were measured. Variation was notable with respect to individual paraben esters, location within one breast and similar locations in different breasts. Overall median values in nanograms per gram tissue for the 160 tissue samples were highest for n-propylparaben [16.8 (range 0-2052.7)] and methylparaben [16.6 (range 0-5102.9)]; levels were lower for n-butylparaben [5.8 (range 0-95.4)], ethylparaben [3.4 (range 0-499.7)] and isobutylparaben 2.1 (range 0-802.9). The overall median value for total paraben was 85.5 ng g À1 tissue (range 0-5134.5). The source of the paraben cannot be identified, but paraben was measured in the 7/40 patients who reported never having used underarm cosmetics in their lifetime. No correlations were found between paraben concentrations and age of patient (37-91 years), length of breast feeding (0-23 months), tumour location or tumour oestrogen receptor content. In view of the disproportionate incidence of breast cancer in the upper outer quadrant, paraben concentrations were compared across the four regions of the breast: n-propylparaben was found at significantly higher levels in the axilla than mid (P = 0.004 Wilcoxon matched pairs) or medial (P = 0.021 Wilcoxon matched pairs) regions (P = 0.010 Friedman ANOVA).

Computational consideration on advanced oxidation degradation of phenolic preservative, methylparaben, in water: mechanisms, kinetics, and toxicity assessments

“…Consequently, MPB is ubiquitously detected in various aquatic environments [8][9][10], thus creating potential risks to aquatic organisms [7,11]. Moreover, MPB could potentially contribute to the incidence of breast cancer [12][13][14] and has been classified as an emerging contaminant (EC) by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Nevertheless, the conventional wastewater treatment technologies are inadequate to remove these ECs [15,16].…”

Impact of Environmental Contaminants on Breast Cancer / Wpływ Zanieczyszczenia Środowiska Na Raka Piersi

“…On the other hand, the mean value of the total paraben concentration in breast tumour tissues estimated by Dabre et al [176] was 20.6±4.2 ng · g −1 , ie by two orders lower than the above reported values, which could be connected with the enhanced detectability of the compounds and peak area intensity due to derivatization applied by Shanmugam et al [175]. Moreover, the occurrence of parabens in the unaffected breast tissue adjacent to cancer was found in nearly all of the studied samples (99%, n = 160), at the total median paraben concentration of 85.5 ng · g −1 (range 0-5134.5 ng · g −1 ) [177]. Based on observations showing a disproportionately high incidence of breast cancer in the upper outer quadrant of the breast as well as on the fact that the left breast is more prone to the development of cancer than the right one in women as well as in men, parabens in underarm deodorants has been suspected to be an etiological factor of breast cancer [173,178].…”

Relationship between everyday use cosmetics and female breast cancer

“…Except propyloparaben (which was observed at higher levels in the upper outer quadrant compared with other breast regions), the other parabens had similar concentrations in different breast regions. 13 They also found similar concentrations of parabens in the breast tissue of women who reported to be current, past, or nonusers of underarm cosmetics. It suggests that parabens originate also from other sources than underarm cosmetics.…”

“…In 2012, Barr et al 13 measured paraben levels in different regions of healthy breast tissue (without cancer). Except propyloparaben (which was observed at higher levels in the upper outer quadrant compared with other breast regions), the other parabens had similar concentrations in different breast regions.…”

“…It suggests that parabens originate also from other sources than underarm cosmetics. 13 It is possible that these chemicals enter the body via skin application of any other body care product and parenterally from food or medicines taken by patients. 13,20 Several European studies have confirmed the presence of parabens in urine, blood, human milk samples, and semen in the European population.…”