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EDRI Federal Project Inventory:
62986-03 Organochlorine Compounds and Risk of Breast Cancer
- Sponsor Organization: NIH/NCI
- Project Title: 62986-03 ORGANOCHLORINE COMPOUNDS AND RISK OF BREAST CANCER
- Project Focus: HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS
- Description: While considerable efforts have been made, little is known about the
etiology of breast cancer and the factors whichmight be responsible
for the observed time trends. Recent epidemiologic studies strongly
suggest that environmentalexposure to organochlorine residues
increases the risk of female breast cancer. This association is
biologically plausible. Many organochlorine compounds are known
animal carcinogens, suspected human carcinogens, have tumorpromotion
activity, possess estrogenic activity, and may compromise immune
function. Due to the inconclusive natureof the recent epidemiologic
studies (small numbers of subjects, lack of control for all potential
confounders) and thewidespread exposure to organochlorine compounds,
there exists an urgent need for more rigorous epidemiologic studies.
Against this background, a case-control study of organochlorine
compound exposure and risk of breast cancer inConnecticut is proposed.
More specifically, this study will test the hypotheses that a)
exposure to total polychlorinatedbiphenyls (PCBs) and specific major
PCB congeners increases the risk of female breast cancer; b) exposure
to DDT andits most stable and persistent metabolite DDE increases the
risk of female breast cancer; and c) exposure to benzenehexachloride
(BHC) isomers, particularly alpha-, beta- and gamma-BHC, increases the
risk of female breast cancer. Cases and controls will be patients
diagnosed over a three and one-quarter year period at the Yale-New
Haven Hospital. The case group will consist of 200 incident primary
breast cancer patients with in situ or stage I-III disease. An
equalnumber of controls will be selected from women who are diagnosed
with benign breast disease (excluding atypicalhyperplasia). Cases and
controls will be between ages 50 and 79 and will have sufficient non-
diagnostic breast adiposetissue for chemical analysis. The
concentration of organochlorine compounds in breast adipose tissue
will be analyzedby gas chromatography and compared between the cases
and controls. Subsequent to tissue collection, cases andcontrols will
be interviewed in their homes by trained interviewers using a
standardized, structured questionnaire toobtain information regarding
potential confounding factors, including age, lactation history, body
mass index, dietaryintakes, exposure to non-organochlorine pesticides,
and reproductive history. Statistical analyses will be performedusing
standard multivariable techniques to address the study hypotheses and
to control for confounding.
- References:
- Category: METHODS
- Subcategory: EXPOSURE DETERMINATIONS/FOLLOW UP
- Keywords for Experimental System/Species: HUMAN, FIELD STUDY
- Keywords for Experimental Endpoints: CARCINOGENESIS, FEMALE, TISSUE RESIDUE, EXPOSURE MONITORING,
EPIDEMIOLOGY
- Chemical Agents: PCBs, DDTs, HEXACHLOROBENZENE (118-74-1)
- Performing Institution: YALE UNIVERSITY
- Contact: CONTACT PERSON: ELAINE C. LEE; BUILDING 31; 11A21, NATIONAL CANCER
INSTITUTE, NIH,BETHESDA, MD 20892-2590; 301- 496-5515;
LEEE@OD.NCI.NIH.GOV
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