Association between Environmental Pollutants and Breast Cancer Risk among Bangladeshi Women

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is a major public health concern in Bangladesh, where its incidence is rising alongside increasing exposure to environmental pollutants. Rapid urbanization and lifestyle changes have increased contact with endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in food, air, and consumer products. Aim of the Study: This study aimed to evaluate the association between environmental pollutant exposure and the risk of breast cancer among Bangladeshi women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a six-month period from January to June 2023. Eighty female breast cancer patients with histopathological confirmation were enrolled through purposive sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Analyses were performed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics, chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess associations. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 80 patients, 75% were aged 40 years or older, and 57.5% lived in urban areas. Plasticizer exposure (51.3%) was the most prevalent, followed by food packaging materials (45.0%) and pesticide/herbicide exposure (37.5%). Tobacco smoke exposure was reported by 35.0% of participants, and hormonal chemical exposure by 22.5%. Most breast tumors were Grade II (48.8%), and 52.5% of women were premenopausal. Logistic regression showed significant associations between breast cancer and plasticizer exposure (Adjusted OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.18–3.82, p = 0.01) and tobacco smoke exposure (Adjusted OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.05–3.27, p = 0.03). A positive family history was more common among exposed participants (24.0%) than non-exposed (10.0%), though not statistically significant (p = 0.12). Obesity and hormonal therapy history were not significantly associated with breast cancer. Conclusion: Environmental exposures particularly to plasticizers and tobacco smoke may play a significant role in the development of breast cancer among Bangladeshi women.