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Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 3/2011

01-08-2011 | Epidemiology

Urinary cadmium and mammographic density in premenopausal women

Authors: Scott V. Adams, Polly A. Newcomb, Martin M. Shafer, Charlotte Atkinson, Erin J. Aiello Bowles, Katherine M. Newton, Johanna W. Lampe

Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment | Issue 3/2011

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Abstract

Mammographic density (MD), a strong marker of breast cancer risk, is influenced by genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. Cadmium, a persistent and widespread environmental pollutant, has been associated with risk of breast cancer, and laboratory evidence suggests cadmium is a carcinogen in the breast. We investigated the hypothesis that cadmium exposure is associated with higher MD. In a cross-sectional study of MD and urinary cadmium concentration, percentage MD (MD%) and Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data Systems (BI-RADS®) density category were determined from screening mammograms of 190 premenopausal women ages 40–45 years. Women completed a health questionnaire, and the cadmium content of spot urine samples was measured with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and corrected for urine creatinine. Urinary cadmium concentrations are thought to reflect exposure to cadmium during a period of 20–30 years. Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression were used to estimate the strength of association between urinary cadmium and mammographic breast density. Adjusted mean MD% among women in the upper tertile of creatinine-corrected urinary cadmium was 4.6% higher (95% CI: –2.3 to 11.6%) than in women in the lowest cadmium tertile. Each twofold increase in urinary cadmium was associated with higher odds of MD% in the upper tertile (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 0.82–2.02) or a BI-RADS category rating of “extremely dense” (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.14–2.70). Stronger associations were observed among nulliparous women, and current or former smokers. Exposure to cadmium may be associated with increased breast density in premenopausal women.
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Metadata
Title
Urinary cadmium and mammographic density in premenopausal women
Authors
Scott V. Adams
Polly A. Newcomb
Martin M. Shafer
Charlotte Atkinson
Erin J. Aiello Bowles
Katherine M. Newton
Johanna W. Lampe
Publication date
01-08-2011
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment / Issue 3/2011
Print ISSN: 0167-6806
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7217
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-011-1383-8

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