Title
DDT (dicophane) and postmenopausal breast cancer in Europe: Case-control study
Author
van 't Veer, P.
Lobbezoo, E.
Martín-Moreno, J.M.
Guallar, E.
Gómez-Aracena, J.
Kardinaal, A.F.M.
Kohlmeier, L.
Martin, B.C.
Strain, J.J.
Thamm, M.
van Zoonen, P.
Baumann, B.A.
Huttunen, J.K.
Kok, F.J.
Centraal Instituut voor Voedingsonderzoek TNO TNO Voeding
Publication year
1997
Abstract
Objective: To examine any possible links between exposure to DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)ethylene), the persistent metabolite of the pesticide dicophane DDT), and breast cancer. Design: Multicentre study of exposure to DDE by measurement of adipose tissue aspirated from the buttocks. Laboratory measurements were conducted in a single laboratory. Additional data on risk factors for breast cancer were obtained by standard questionnaires. Setting: Centres in Germany, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Switzerland, and Spain. Subjects: 265 postmenopausal women with breast cancer and 341 controls matched for age and centre. Main outcome measure: Adipose DDE concentration. Results: Women with breast cancer had adipose DDE concentrations 9.2% lower than control women. No increased risk of breast cancer was found at higher concentration. The odds ratio of breast cancer, adjusted for age and centre, for the highest versus the lowest fourth of DDE distribution was 0.73 (95% confidence interval 0.44 to 1.21) and decreased to 0.48 (0.25 to 0.95; P for trend = 0.02) after adjustment for body mass index, age at first birth, and current alcohol drinking. Adjustment for other risk factors did not materially affect these estimates. Conclusions: The lower DDE concentrations observed among the women with breast cancer may be secondary to disease inception. This study does not support the hypothesis that DDE increases risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women in Europe.
Subject
Chlorphenotane
Pesticide
Adult
Aged
Body mass
Breast cancer
Buttock
Cancer risk
Controlled study
Drinking behavior
Major clinical study
Maternal age
Metabolite
Questionnaire
Risk factor
United kingdom
Adipose Tissue
Breast Neoplasms
Case-Control Studies
DDT
Environmental Exposure
Female
Germany
Humans
Insecticides
Middle Aged
Netherlands
Northern Ireland
Odds Ratio
Postmenopause
Risk Factors
Spain
Switzerland
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TNO identifier
85722
Source
British Medical Journal, 315 (7100), 81-85
Document type
article