title: Polychlorinated biphenyls and omega-3 fatty acid exposure from fish consumption, and thyroid cancer among New York anglers.
abstract: Fish from the Great Lakes contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) which have been shown to disrupt endocrine function and mimic thyroid hormones, but they also contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids that may offer protection against endocrine cancers. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Lake Ontario fish consumption and the estimated consumption of PCBs and omega-3 fatty acids on the risk of thyroid cancer in a group of sport fishermen. Anglers from the New York State Angler Cohort Study were followed for cancer incidence from 1991-2008. Twenty-seven cases of incident thyroid cancer and 108 controls were included in the analyses. Total estimated fish consumption, estimated omega-3 fatty acid consumption, and estimated PCB consumption from Lake Ontario fish were examined for an association with the incidence of thyroid cancer, while matching on sex, and controlling for age and smoking status. Results from logistic regression indicate no significant associations between fish consumption, short-term estimated omega-3 fatty acids, or estimated PCB consumption from Great Lakes fish and the development of thyroid cancer, but it was suggested that long-term omega-3 fatty acid from Great Lakes fish may be protective of the development of thyroid cancer. In conclusion, fish consumption, with the possible concomitant PCBs, from the Great Lakes does not appear to increase the risk of thyroid cancer in New York anglers. Further research is needed in order to separate the individual health effects of PCBs from omega-3 fatty acids contained within the fish.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Alyson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haslam
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA. Electronic address: swagner@uga.edu.
authors.forename: Sara Wagner
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Robb
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Bonner
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lindblad
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Joey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Allegra
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Vena
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Fish consumption; Lake Ontario; Omega-3 fatty acids; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Thyroid cancer