Dietary cadmium tied with breast cancer risk
March 15th, 2012 - 2:46 pm ICT by IANSStockholm, March 15 (IANS) Dietary cadmium, a toxic metal found in many farm fertilisers, may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer.
“Because of a high accumulation in agricultural crops, the main sources of dietary cadmium are bread and other cereals, potatoes, root crops and vegetables,” said Agneta Åkesson, associate professor at Karolinska Institute in Sweden. “In general, these foods are also considered healthy.”
For the current study, Åkesson and colleagues observed 55,987 women for more than 12 years, reports the journal Cancer Research.
They estimated the dietary cadmium exposure using a food frequency questionnaire. During the follow-up period, researchers observed 2,112 incidences of breast cancer, according to a Karolinska statement.
Cadmium consumption was divided into three groups with the highest levels of exposure compared with the lowest. Overall, a higher exposure to cadmium via diet was linked with a 21 percent increase in breast cancer. Among lean and normal weight women, the increased risk was 27 percent.
Åkesson said that women who consumed higher amounts of whole grain and vegetables had a lower risk of breast cancer compared to women exposed to dietary cadmium through other foods.
“It’s possible that this healthy diet to some extent can counteract the negative effect of cadmium, but our findings need to be confirmed with further studies,” said Åkesson.
- Vitamin D 'cuts breast cancer risk by 43 pc' - Dec 12, 2010
- Trace elements in toenails show up cancer risk - Dec 20, 2011
- Vitamin D, sun exposure cuts breast cancer risk - Dec 12, 2010
- High-fibre diet cuts bowel cancer risk - Nov 12, 2011
- Vegetables, grain cut stroke risk in women - Dec 04, 2011
- Eating habits that ensure a longer life - Dec 23, 2010
- Higher levels of folate in RBCs linked to silenced tumor-suppressors - Dec 23, 2010
- Smoke exposure puts Mexican women at high risk of breast cancer - Oct 02, 2010
- Low-carb diets better for easing weight: Study - Dec 13, 2011
- Dietary soy may affect risk of breast cancer - Nov 09, 2010
- Olive oil helps breast cancer survivors lose weight - Jun 04, 2010
- Low-fat dairy foods can lower stroke risk - Apr 20, 2012
- Soy food safe for breast cancer survivors - Apr 06, 2011
- Smoking 'ups breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women' - Mar 02, 2011
- 10 tips to steer clear of breast cancer - Oct 03, 2010
Tags: accumulation, agricultural crops, associate professor, breast cancer, breast cancer risk, cadmium exposure, cancer research, cereals, effect of cadmium, food frequency questionnaire, further studies, healthy diet, incidences, journal cancer, karolinska institute, potatoes, root crops, toxic metal, weight women, whole grain