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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Villeneuve
Sara
S
CESP-INSERM (National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Villejuif, France.
Cyr
Diane
D
Lynge
Elsebeth
E
Orsi
Laurent
L
Sabroe
Svend
S
Merletti
Franco
F
Gorini
Giuseppe
G
Morales-Suarez-Varela
Maria
M
Ahrens
Wolfgang
W
Baumgardt-Elms
Cornelia
C
Kaerlev
Linda
L
Eriksson
Mikael
M
Hardell
Lennart
L
Févotte
Joëlle
J
Guénel
Pascal
P
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors
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