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

Sara Villeneuve; Diane Cyr; Elsebeth Lynge; Laurent Orsi; Svend Sabroe; Franco Merletti; Giuseppe Gorini; Maria Morales-Suarez-Varela; Wolfgang Ahrens; Cornelia Baumgardt-Elms; Linda Kaerlev; Mikael Eriksson; Lennart Hardell; Joëlle Févotte; Pascal Guénel

doi:10.1136/oem.2009.052175

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

Sara Villeneuve, Diane Cyr, Elsebeth Lynge, Laurent Orsi, Svend Sabroe, Franco Merletti, Giuseppe Gorini, Maria Morales-Suarez-Varela, Wolfgang Ahrens, Cornelia Baumgardt-Elms, Linda Kaerlev, Mikael Eriksson, Lennart Hardell, Joëlle Févotte, Pascal Guénel

Center of Epidemiology and Screening

54 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Journal	Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Volume	67
Issue number	12
Pages (from-to)	837-44
Number of pages	8
ISSN	1076-2752
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2009.052175
Publication status	Published - 1 Dec 2010

Keywords

Adult
Age Distribution
Aged
Alcohol Drinking
Breast Neoplasms, Male
Educational Status
Endocrine Disruptors
Epidemiologic Methods
Europe
Humans
Industry
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Diseases
Occupational Exposure
Occupations

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1136/oem.2009.052175

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Villeneuve, S., Cyr, D., Lynge, E., Orsi, L., Sabroe, S., Merletti, F., Gorini, G., Morales-Suarez-Varela, M., Ahrens, W., Baumgardt-Elms, C., Kaerlev, L., Eriksson, M., Hardell, L., Févotte, J., & Guénel, P. (2010). Occupation and occupational exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in male breast cancer: a case-control study in Europe. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 67(12), 837-44. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2009.052175

Villeneuve, S, Cyr, D, Lynge, E, Orsi, L, Sabroe, S, Merletti, F, Gorini, G, Morales-Suarez-Varela, M, Ahrens, W, Baumgardt-Elms, C, Kaerlev, L, Eriksson, M, Hardell, L, Févotte, J & Guénel, P 2010, 'Occupation and occupational exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in male breast cancer: a case-control study in Europe', Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, vol. 67, no. 12, pp. 837-44. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2009.052175

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abstract = "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.",

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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.

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KW - Age Distribution

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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 -

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

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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