141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

278492
Environmental cadmium and lead exposure and prostate-specific antigen among US men

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 12:50 PM - 1:05 PM

Yueh-Ying Han, PhD , School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Ji Young Song, PhD , Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Evelyn O. Talbott, DrPH, MPH , Department of Epidemiology, Director University of Pittsburgh Academic Center for Excellence in Environmental PH Tracking, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Background Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are environmental pollutants acting as endocrine disruptors that may alter hormonal-related cancer risks. This study examined the association between blood Cd and Pb and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a biomarker for prostate cancer detection. Methods Using data from 2007-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, men aged 40 years and older with serum PSA and blood Cd and Pb measures were studied (n=2,189). Total PSA level (tPSA) and percent free/total PSA ratio (%fPSA) were outcomes of interest. The alternative cutpoints were used to categorize higher risks of prostate cancer (tPSA ≥10 and ≥4 ng/ml; %fPSA ≤ 25%). Blood concentration of Cd and Pb (μg/L) was defined as quintiles. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Adjusting for potential confounders, higher Pb concentrations was associated with increased odds of having higher tPSA (≥10 ng/ml, OR associated with fifth to first quintile = 7.95, 95% CI=1.46-43.18, p for trend=0.024) and lower %fPSA (≤25%, OR [fifth vs. first quintile] = 1.64, 95% CI=1.14-2.35, p for trend <0.001). Such association was not seen between Cd and tPSA or %fPSA. However, men with higher Cd concentration (≥2 µg/L) had increased odds of having lower %fPSA (≤25%) compared to those with lower Cd in blood (OR=2.71, 95% CI=1.35-5.46). Conclusion Cd and Pb in blood were associated with PSA biomarkers in the US population. Further studies are necessary to investigate potential mechanisms of the finding. Monitoring environmental exposure to such pollutants may be helpful on prostate cancer prevention.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Environmental health sciences
Epidemiology

Learning Objectives:
Assess blood concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in US population Evaluate relationships between Cd and Pb concentrations and PSA biomarkers Identify role of environmental exposure of Cd and Pb in influencing prostate cancer risk

Keywords: Environmental Exposures, Cancer Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Receiving training on environmental health and cancer epidemiology, my research interests include identify and assess environmental exposures on cancer etiology.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.