Alkylphenolic compounds and risk of breast and prostate cancer in the MCC-Spain study.

Abstract Background Alkylphenolic compounds are chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties that have been widely used in industry with important changes in their usage over time. Few epidemiologic studies have evaluated the effect of alkylphenolic compounds on human health. Objectives We investigated whether occupational exposure to alkylphenolic compounds is associated with breast and prostate cancer. Methods We carried out a population-based case–control study including 1513 incident cases of breast cancer, 1095 of prostate cancer, and 3055 controls, frequency matched by sex, age and region. Occupational exposure to alkylphenolic compounds was estimated using a recently developed job-exposure matrix, which considered different scenarios of exposure and different subtypes of alkylphenolic compounds. Results History of occupational exposure to alkylphenolic compounds was modestly associated with breast cancer (OR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.01–1.48). Within the different scenarios, the occupational use of domestic tensioactives was positively associated with breast cancer (OR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.02–1.60), while occupational exposure in other scenarios showed mostly a suggestion of a similar positive associations. Exposure to nonylphenol ethoxylates was positively associated with breast cancer (OR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.00–1.47), while exposure to other compounds was uncommon. In general, we did not observe associations between alkylphenolic compounds and prostate cancer, except for a positive association among men occupationally exposed to cosmetic, hair and personal hygiene products. Conclusions Our findings suggest a modest association between breast cancer risk and occupational exposure to alkylphenolic compounds, and no associations between these compounds and prostate cancer risk. These findings warrant further corroboration in other studies. Highlights • This is the largest study examining occupational exposure to alkylphenolic compounds and breast and prostate cancer risk. • We observed a modest association between breast cancer risk and occupational exposure to alkylphenolic compounds. • Our findings suggest no significant associations for prostate cancer and these compounds. • Among women, nonylphenol ethoxylates were the most frequent compound, which was positively associated to breast cancer. • The elucidation of the role of these compounds should shed a light on the etiology of those diseases and help informing public health decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]