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Exposure to organophosphorus insecticides and increased risks of health and cancer in US women.

Sun et al,

2020

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol

This analysis of US health data from 2003-2012 found that women with higher long-term exposure to organophosphorus insecticides (common pesticides measured through urine samples) faced significantly elevated health risks, including three times higher risk of cardiovascular disease and 2.7 times higher overall cancer risk among women aged 60-85. Women with higher pesticide exposure also showed increased risks of asthma in younger age groups and chronic bronchitis in older age, with breast cancer risk elevated among female smokers and prostate cancer risk elevated among male smokers. These findings suggest that chronic exposure to these widely-used agricultural pesticides may pose greater health threats to women than men, particularly for cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation and breast cancer risk: A dose-response meta-analysis.

Li et al,

2020

Medicine

A meta-analysis of 6 studies found that exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation was associated with a 30% reduced breast cancer risk overall, with a dose-response analysis showing a linear protective relationship in women over 40 (14% risk reduction per unit increase in UV exposure). Notably, not tanning and covering the limbs were associated with increased breast cancer risk, while sunscreen use showed no association with risk, suggesting that actual UV skin exposure—rather than ambient UV levels alone—may be the key protective factor. This is the first dose-response meta-analysis demonstrating that higher UV exposure correlates with lower breast cancer risk in a linear fashion among middle-aged and older women, likely through Vitamin D production, though the findings highlight the complex balance between skin cancer risks from excessive UV exposure versus potential breast cancer protection from adequate sun exposure, and the need for further research on how factors like estrogen receptor status, Occupation, and ethnicity modify this relationship.

Solar Ultraviolet Radiation and Breast Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Hiller et al,

2020

Env Health Persp

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies found that spending one or more hours per day in the sun during summer months was associated with a 16% reduced breast cancer risk compared to less than one hour daily, with similar protective effects observed for both 1-2 hours and more than 2 hours of sun exposure. Sun exposure during adolescence appeared particularly protective (17% risk reduction), while exposure after age 45 showed no significant benefit, and interestingly, ambient UV radiation levels alone were not associated with breast cancer risk. These findings suggest that active sun exposure—likely through Vitamin D production—may offer modest breast cancer protection when obtained regularly during youth and early adulthood, though the results should be balanced against known skin cancer risks from excessive UV exposure.

A multicenter case control study of association of Vitamin D with breast cancer among women in Karachi, Pakistan.

Shamsi et al,

2020

PLOS One

A matched case-control study in Karachi, Pakistan examined 411 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer and 784 cancer-free controls to investigate the relationship between Vitamin D levels, supplementation, sun exposure, and breast cancer risk in a population where both Vitamin D deficiency and breast cancer are prevalent. The study found that women with Vitamin D deficiency (serum levels <20 ng/ml) had a 65% increased risk of breast cancer compared to those with sufficient levels (>30 ng/ml), while women who took Vitamin D supplements in the year prior had a 68% reduced risk of breast cancer. The researchers conclude that Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased breast cancer risk in Pakistani women, and suggest that maintaining adequate Vitamin D levels through supplementation could be a safe, affordable prevention strategy. This approach may be particularly beneficial for reducing breast cancer incidence and mortality among economically disadvantaged women in Pakistan who face barriers to early detection and treatment, though further research is needed to confirm these findings.

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