Abstract
Objective: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Nigeria women. The continuing rise of the breast cancer incidence in Nigerian women suggested contaminations of the soil and water supplies by industrial metals as a major contributing cause. Within this context, lead (Pb) is of particular concern, as it is one of the chief environmental pollutants in Nigeria and is known to promote tumorigenesis by abolishing the cancer‐protecting effects of selenium (Se). We assess the possible effect of lead on the occurrence of breast cancer in Nigerian patients.
Patients and Methods: Twelve consenting patients with breast cancer seen at Obafemi Awolowo University were recruited into the study. The hair and fasting blood samples were taken for analysis using ICP‐MS method. Samples from twelve age‐matched controls were also analyzed.
Results: Consistent with this hypothesis, high and occasionally excessive levels of Pb were detected in blood and scalp hair of Nigerian women with and without breast cancer. These levels were sufficient to overwhelm the anti‐carcinogenic effects of Se.
Conclusions: In the clinical setting, multi‐element hair analysis provides a non‐invasive means of assessing toxic metal exposures, cancer risk and disease progression. Any program of reducing breast cancer risk in Nigerian women thus must include effective measures to reduce the toxic metal burden of the population.
Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):B138.
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