Study links air pollution to breast cancer risk

Béatrice Fervers, director of the Department of Environmental Cancer Prevention at the Centre Léon-Bérard, presented findings from the XENAIR study, which suggests a possible connection between exposure to specific atmospheric pollutants and a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

XENAIR study details

The XENAIR study began in 2016 and included more than 10,000 women from the national E3N Generations cohort, comparing those who developed breast cancer between 1990 and 2011 with those who did not. The research examined exposure to eight atmospheric pollutants, later expanding to include more.

Pollutants and increased risk

The study found that women exposed to high levels of nitrogen dioxide, fine particles, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) had a significantly increased risk of breast cancer compared to those exposed to individual pollutants. Women with the highest exposure levels had a breast cancer risk up to 60% higher than those less exposed.

Causal link and IARC status

Fervers noted that while the data suggest a causal link between air pollution and breast cancer, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has not yet updated its monograph to reflect these findings. The study was funded by the CANC'AIR project call from the ARC Foundation, with 998,716 euros allocated from 2016 to 2022.

Recommendations for reducing exposure

Fervers emphasized the importance of reducing air pollution through active travel, such as walking or cycling, using public transport, and planning routes carefully. She also advocated for policies that align with European Commission and World Health Organization guidelines on pollutant concentrations.