Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. 
Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. What was issued?
The article presents a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the relationship between cadmium exposure and breast cancer. This meta-analysis incorporated studies published until October 2022, focusing on various routes of cadmium exposure, including dietary, airborne, and biomarker measures. The analysis was based on 17 eligible studies and sought to provide more comprehensive evidence regarding cadmium’s role in breast cancer risk. The findings revealed an elevated risk of breast cancer in women with higher cadmium exposure, though the association was not significant in certain subgroups, such as dietary cadmium exposure.
Who is affected?
This research primarily concerns women, as the studies included in the meta-analysis focused on female breast cancer incidence. The exposure population spans various age groups, including both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Women exposed to cadmium through different environmental and dietary sources, particularly those living in areas with high industrialization or tobacco smoke, may be at heightened risk. The findings are significant for individuals in industrialized settings, healthcare workers, and those exposed to pollutants.
Most important findings
The meta-analysis indicated that cadmium exposure, regardless of the source, slightly increased the risk of breast cancer. The pooled odds ratio for women with higher cadmium exposure compared to lower exposure was 1.13 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.28), suggesting a marginally elevated risk. When analyzing cadmium exposure by route, the studies involving biomarkers showed a higher, but non-significant association with breast cancer risk (OR: 1.37; 95% CI: 0.96, 1.94). The study did not find conclusive evidence for dietary cadmium’s impact on breast cancer risk, with results showing no significant correlation (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.21). Heterogeneity across studies was noted, particularly between studies using biomarker measures and those using other methods, like dietary assessments. Notably, the study did not find consistent patterns across different menopausal statuses.
Key implications
The findings suggest that while cadmium exposure may increase breast cancer risk, further research is needed to fully understand the role of cadmium from various sources. Public health implications include the need for more stringent controls on cadmium exposure, especially in industrial areas and through tobacco smoke. The results also highlight the need for further studies to isolate cadmium’s effects from other potential carcinogenic exposures, such as smoking. For the food industry and health regulators, these findings suggest that more comprehensive monitoring of cadmium levels in food products, as well as environmental pollutants, may be warranted to protect public health. Regulatory bodies could consider revising guidelines for acceptable cadmium exposure in various industries.
Citation
Florez-Garcia, V., Guevara-Romero, E., Hawkins, M., Bautista, L., Jenson, T., Yu, J., & Kalkbrenner, A. (2022). Cadmium exposure and risk of breast cancer: A meta-analysis. Environmental Research, 219, 115109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.115109
Cadmium is a persistent heavy metal that accumulates in kidneys and bones. Dietary sources include cereals, cocoa, shellfish and vegetables, while smokers and industrial workers receive higher exposures. Studies link cadmium to kidney dysfunction, bone fractures and cancer.
