title: A gene-environment interaction between occupation and BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations in male breast cancer?
abstract: The association of male breast cancer (MBC) with a positive breast cancer (BC) family history and with BRCA1/2 germ-line mutations points to a genetic component; a relationship with occupation has also been reported. Recently, we identified pathogenetic BRCA1/2 mutations in a population-based series of Italian MBC patients: here in, we investigated interactions between a carrier status for BRCA1/2 mutations and occupation using a case-case design and estimating case-only odds ratios (CORs). Truck-driving was the most frequent occupation (3/4 BRCA-related cases and 2/19 unrelated cases). An interaction between carrier status and working as a truck-driver emerged, when we classified MBC cases as "ever/never-held" this job title (COR 25.5; 95% Confidence Limits (CL): 1.1-1,412.5) or according to truck-driving as the "longest-held" work (COR 54.0; 95% CL: 1.6-2,997.5). The possible modifying effect on MBC risk in subjects carrying BRCA1/2 germ-line mutations of an occupation characterised by exposure to chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) that are capable of inducing DNA damage, may provide clues to the role of environmental exposures in modifying BC risk in mutation carriers in both genders.
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Nutritional Epidemiology Unit, CSPO, Scientific Institute of Tuscany, Via di San Salvi 12, 50135 Florence, Italy. d.palli@cspo.it
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Palli
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Masala
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mariani-Costantini
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zanna
authors.forename: Calogero
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saieva
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sera
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Decarli
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ottini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000235:genetics*; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects