Occupation and occupational exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in male breast cancer: a case-control study in Europe

TY - JOUR

T1 - Occupation and occupational exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in male breast cancer: a case-control study in Europe

AU - Villeneuve, Sara

AU - Cyr, Diane

AU - Lynge, Elsebeth

AU - Orsi, Laurent

AU - Sabroe, Svend

AU - Merletti, Franco

AU - Gorini, Giuseppe

AU - Morales-Suarez-Varela, Maria

AU - Ahrens, Wolfgang

AU - Baumgardt-Elms, Cornelia

AU - Kaerlev, Linda

AU - Eriksson, Mikael

AU - Hardell, Lennart

AU - Févotte, Joëlle

AU - Guénel, Pascal

PY - 2010/12/1

Y1 - 2010/12/1

N2 - Objectives: Male breast cancer is a rare disease of largely unknown aetiology. In addition to genetic and hormone-related risk factors, a large number of environmental chemicals are suspected of playing a role in breast cancer. The identification of occupations or occupational exposures associated with an increased incidence of breast cancer in men may help to identify mammary carcinogens in the environment. Methods: Occupational risk factors for male breast cancer were investigated in a multi-centre case-control study conducted in eight European countries which included 104 cases and 1901 controls. Lifetime work history was obtained during in-person interviews. Occupational exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (alkylphenolic compounds, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins) were assessed on a case-by-case basis using expert judgement. Results: Male breast cancer incidence was particularly increased in motor vehicle mechanics (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.4) with a dose-effect relationship with duration of employment. It was also increased in paper makers and painters, forestry and logging workers, health and social workers, and furniture manufacture workers. The OR for exposure to alkylphenolic compounds above the median was 3.8 (95% CI 1.5 to 9.5). This association persisted after adjustment for occupational exposures to other environmental oestrogens. Conclusion: These findings suggest that some environmental chemicals are possible mammary carcinogens. Petrol, organic petroleum solvents or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are suspect because of the consistent elevated risk of male breast cancer observed in motor vehicle mechanics. Endocrine disruptors such as alkylphenolic compounds may play a role in breast cancer.

AB - Objectives: Male breast cancer is a rare disease of largely unknown aetiology. In addition to genetic and hormone-related risk factors, a large number of environmental chemicals are suspected of playing a role in breast cancer. The identification of occupations or occupational exposures associated with an increased incidence of breast cancer in men may help to identify mammary carcinogens in the environment. Methods: Occupational risk factors for male breast cancer were investigated in a multi-centre case-control study conducted in eight European countries which included 104 cases and 1901 controls. Lifetime work history was obtained during in-person interviews. Occupational exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (alkylphenolic compounds, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins) were assessed on a case-by-case basis using expert judgement. Results: Male breast cancer incidence was particularly increased in motor vehicle mechanics (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.4) with a dose-effect relationship with duration of employment. It was also increased in paper makers and painters, forestry and logging workers, health and social workers, and furniture manufacture workers. The OR for exposure to alkylphenolic compounds above the median was 3.8 (95% CI 1.5 to 9.5). This association persisted after adjustment for occupational exposures to other environmental oestrogens. Conclusion: These findings suggest that some environmental chemicals are possible mammary carcinogens. Petrol, organic petroleum solvents or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are suspect because of the consistent elevated risk of male breast cancer observed in motor vehicle mechanics. Endocrine disruptors such as alkylphenolic compounds may play a role in breast cancer.

KW - Adult

KW - Age Distribution

KW - Aged

KW - Alcohol Drinking

KW - Breast Neoplasms, Male

KW - Educational Status

KW - Endocrine Disruptors

KW - Epidemiologic Methods

KW - Europe

KW - Humans

KW - Industry

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Occupational Diseases

KW - Occupational Exposure

KW - Occupations

U2 - 10.1136/oem.2009.052175

DO - 10.1136/oem.2009.052175

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 20798010

SN - 1076-2752

VL - 67

SP - 837

EP - 844

JO - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

JF - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

IS - 12

ER -