Xenoestrogens and Breast Cancer in African American Women
Creators: name: University Of California Office Of The President
Publisher: name: University of California Office of the President
publisherIdentifier: https://ror.org/00dmfq477
publisherIdentifierScheme: ROR
Year: 2024

description: The purpose of our study is to identify possible environmental risk factors for breast cancer in African American women. Most of the known risk factors for breast cancer are reproductive factors that are not amenable to change. However, it has been estimated that 50-70% of women with breast cancer do not have any of the established risk factors. The incidence of breast cancer in African American women under 40 has risen dramatically and now exceeds the incidence in white women under 40. Breast cancer is more common in urban, industrialized areas suggesting that some aspect of the urban environment may play a role in the development of breast cancer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Since the late 1940's a number of chemical compounds with hormonal properties have contaminated our environment and the food chain. Some of these compounds are organochlorine pesticides such as DDT, and industrial compounds known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins. These compounds have disruptive effects on the reproductive, hormonal and immune systems of a variety of wildlife species and laboratory animals. Communities of color may be disproportionately exposed to industrial pollutants in inner-city environments. Many inner city residents have migrated from the rural south where they may have accumulated higher levels of DDT and related compounds. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 A few recent studies have considered the role these chemicals may play in causing breast cancer through their hormonal effects on breast tissue. Some studies have had conflicting results and left many unanswered questions. Most were only able to test for total levels of DDT and PCBs. As these compounds are complex mixtures, it is likely that some of the individual substances within the mixtures may act differently. Only one study has looked at these substances in minority women. That study found women compared to white women. It also revealed different relationships between the compounds and breast cancer in the different ethnic groups. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 We have developed the capability of testing the individual components of DDT, other pesticides, PCBs and dioxins that are known to have hormonal or cancer causing effects in animals. Our proposed study will compare the levels of this expanded list of compounds, specifically including dioxins in African American women with breast cancer to those undergoing biopsies for noncancerous conditions. Women will also be given a dietary questionnaire and interview to determine other risk factors for breast cancer. The proposed study builds on the strengths of a comparable study we are conducting in a population that is predominantly composed of white women. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 We expect the results of these two studies to make a significant contribution to the current knowledge about possible environmental causes of breast cancer and may help explain the higher rates of breast cancer among younger African American women.