Do Exposure to Arsenic, Occupation and Diet have Synergistic Effects on Prostate Cancer Risk?

Abstract

Background: Diverse environmental exposures, as well as dietary and lifestyle factors, are associated with prostate<br />cancer (PC) etiology; however little is known about joint interactive influences. The aim of this study was to analyse<br />effects of diet combined with arsenic in drinking water and agricultural occupation on PC risk. Methods: A case-control<br />study was conducted in Córdoba, Argentina (period 2008-2015) including 147 cases of PC and 300 controls. All subjects<br />were interviewed about food consumption, socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics. A sample of drinking water<br />was taken to determine arsenic concentrations. Adherence scores to the Traditional Dietary Pattern were estimated, based<br />on a principal component factor analysis. A two-level logistic regression model was fitted in order to assess effects of<br />the Traditional Pattern, occupation and arsenic exposure on the occurrence of PC (outcome). Family history of PC was<br />considered as a clustering variable. Results: PC risk was greatest in subjects with high adherence to the Traditional Pattern<br />(OR 2.18; 95%IC 1.097–4.344). Subjects exposed to arsenic in drinking water above 0.01mg/l who simultaneously<br />performed agricultural activities showed a markedly elevated PC risk (OR 5.07; 95%IC 2.074-12.404). Variance of<br />the random effect of family history of PC was significant. conclusion: Diet, arsenic and occupation in agriculture exert<br />significant effects on PC risk. Further efforts are necessary to analyse risk factors integrally, in order to achieve a better<br />understanding of the complex causal network for PC in this multiple-exposure population.