Prevalence of Breast Benign Findings in Women Residing in an Area of Chronic Exposure to HCH, DDT and Dioxin

Abstract

Organochlorine compounds are known for their hormone-active properties, with emphasis on their performance as environmental estrogens. It is discussed whether its prolonged action in the body could lead to lesions in the breast tissue associated with the proliferative effect of estrogens on the epithelial cells of the breast. This study aimed to estimate the occurrence of benign breast diseases (BBD) in women living in an area with a history of chronic exposure to Hexachloroexan, DDT and Dioxin. A cross - sectional study was carried out in Cidade dos Meninos (CM), a district located in the municipality of Duque de Caxias (MDC), State of Rio de Janeiro - Brazil. Women 35 years of age or older residing on the site were eligible for the study. Mammography and / or ultrasound examinations were performed for investigation and categorization according to the Birads classification. We compared the mammographic findings classified in categories 2, 3 and 4 with the results classified in category 1 (without findings). The results obtained in this study population were compared with the results of the Municipality of Duque de Caxias, which were obtained through the SISMAMA / DATASUS data from July 2014 to July 2015, equivalent to the period of data collection in the exposed population . For this comparison the ratios of ratios and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used. A total of 111 women aged 35-79 years (M - 52 years; SD - 10.6) participated in the study. The prevalence of BBD was higher in the study population compared to MDC (OR = 1.49 - 95% CI 1.305 - 1.699). The results of the comparison of the study population with the municipality of Duque de Caxias suggest a higher prevalence of DBM in the studied population, corroborating with the hypothesis of association of the exposure to the occurrence of proliferative DBM.