Organochlorine pesticide exposure as a risk factor for breast cancer in young Indian women: A case–control study

Abstract

Background:Incidence rates of breast cancer are showing an increasing trend in young women (≤40 years) in India. Risk for breast cancer in this age group can be attributed only partially to various known risk factors. Environmental exposure to organochlorine (OC) compounds has been identified as a potential risk factor. However, the possible role of OC compounds in increasing breast cancer risk in young women has not been explored. This case–control study was planned with the objectives to assess the serum levels of OC compound in a North Indian population of young women.Materials and Methods:Forty-two patients of breast cancer ≤ 40 years age and 42 age-matched controls were evaluated for exposure to OC compounds by performing assays in blood samples for pesticides such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites DDD and DDE; dieldrin; aldrin; methoxychlor, heptachlor; α-endosulfan; β-endosulfan; and hexachlorocyclohexane and its isomers (α, β, and γ).Results:Young women with breast cancer were found to have significantly higher serum levels of all the OC compounds except aldrin, p, p' DDT, and methoxychlor.Conclusions:Exposure to OC pesticides could be an important modifiable risk factor for breast cancer, especially in younger women.

Breast and prostate glands affected by environmental substances (Review)

“…This study revealed that the most frequent stage of breast cancer detected was Stage II (36%), and invasive ductal carcinoma was the most common type (78.6%) in those patients ( 52 ). Additionally, it was found that DDE levels were higher in patients with breast cancer compared with in healthy individuals ( 52 ).…”

“…A case-control study in patients with breast cancer in India during 2015–2016 analyzed the serum levels of organochlorine compounds, such as hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)-α, β, γ, endosulfan, DDT and its metabolites, among other compounds ( 52 ). This study revealed that the most frequent stage of breast cancer detected was Stage II (36%), and invasive ductal carcinoma was the most common type (78.6%) in those patients ( 52 ). Additionally, it was found that DDE levels were higher in patients with breast cancer compared with in healthy individuals ( 52 ).…”

“…To assume that exposure to endocrine disruptors is not a social or economic issue does not comprehensively approach the problem. For instance, the association between DDT exposure and the risk of breast cancer is associated with emerging countries, while developed countries have stricter policies regarding pesticides and hence their population is better protected ( 20 , 52 , 91 ).…”

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“…Kaur N, et al [20] report significantly higher blood levels of α-, β-, γ-HCH, heptachlor, DDE, endosulfan 1 & 2, and dieldrin isomer levels among breast cancer patients when compared with controls. Young women with breast cancer were found to have significantly higher serum levels of all the OC compounds except aldrin, p,p'DDT and methoxychlor.…”

Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure and Breast Cancer Risk: A Rapid Review of Human, Animal, and Cell-Based Studies

“…There has been recent concern over the use of pesticides, including OPs, and their implications on public health [ 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. For example, several types of insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides have been found to be positively associated with breast cancer risk [ 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ]. While the IARC classified malathion as “probably carcinogenic to humans” [ 18 ] and a recent meta-analysis indicated a statistically significant association between OP exposure and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) risk [ 17 ], a comprehensive review of studies examining the relationships between OPs and breast cancer risk had not been done.…”