Regression analysis of pesticide use and breast cancer incidence in California Latinas.* Hispanic (Latina) females experience a lower risk of breast cancer than do non-Hispanic white women. * These lower rates may reflect the influence of known risk factors. * Currently established risk factors for breast cancer include -- older age at first full-term pregnancy, -- early menarche menarche /me·nar·che/ (me-nahr´ke) establishment or beginning of the menstrual function.menar´cheal me·nar·che n. The first menstrual period, usually during puberty. and late menopause, -- exogenous hormone use, and -- family history of breast cancer. * These risk factors, however, account for only about 50 to 60 percent of the variation in incidence rates between high- and low-risk populations. * The authors used regression analysis to evaluate breast cancer incidence at the county level as a function of organochlorine or·gan·o·chlo·rine n. Any of various hydrocarbon pesticides, such as DDT, that contain chlorine. pesticide and triazine herbicide use. * The analysis controlled for known risk factors, including age, fertility, and socioeconomic status. * The analysis was restricted to Latinas diagnosed in California during 1988-1999. * It used 1988-2000 data from the California Cancer Registry (CCR). * CCR is a population-based cancer registry that monitors cancer incidence and mortality in California. * The analysis also used pesticide use data from 1970-1988 from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. * No significant associations were found for the triazine herbicides atrazine atrazine a triazine herbicide; it is not poisonous at levels of intake likely to be encountered in agriculture. atrazine Toxicology A nonphytoestrogenic herbicide. See Phytoestrogen. and simazine simazine a triazine weedkiller that is toxic if livestock are allowed access shortly after the plants have been sprayed. Signs of toxicity include staggering in sheep and colic in horses. . * Breast cancer was, however, positively associated with pounds of the organochlorines organochlorines see chlorinated hydrocarbons. organochlorines poisoning cause excitement and irritability, tremor, ataxia, weakness, paralysis, convulsions. methoxychlor methoxychlor one of the group of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides which cause typical signs of that poisoning. and toxaphene toxaphene: see insecticides. . * The alterations in risk persisted in a multivariate analysis in which other risk factors for breast cancer were taken into account. * The authors recommend that use of persistent organochlorine chemicals, especially those determined to be potentially carcinogenic in animals and humans, be discontinued. This department, Practical Stuff! originated from you, our readers. Many of you have expressed to us that one of the main reasons you read the Journal of Environmental Health is to glean practical and useful information for your everyday work-related activities. In response to your feedback, we dedicate this section to you with salient points to remember about two to three articles in each issue. |
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