Prostate Cancer Incidence, Mortality Increased by Exposure to Pesticides, Study Finds

A recent study from Stanford University links exposure to certain pesticides with a higher risk of prostate cancer and mortality in US men. 

Exposure to 22 Pesticides Associated with Prostate Cancer and Mortality

Researchers found that men exposed to 22 specific pesticides were more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, including 19 chemicals that were previously unassociated with the disease. 

Among these, four pesticides-trifluralin, cloransulam-methyl, diflufenzopyr, and thiamethoxam-were associated with a heightened risk of death from prostate cancer, according to Daily Mail.

The study sheds light on the potential role of environmental factors in cancer incidence and mortality, especially across different US regions.

The study, published in the journal Cancer, analyzed county-level data to examine pesticide exposure and prostate cancer rates over two periods: 1997-2001 with cancer diagnoses from 2011-2015, and 2002-2006 with cases from 2016-2020. 

In total, over two million prostate cancer cases were analyzed, with nearly 300,000 deaths during these years. This research highlights the need for further studies to understand how exposure to chemicals in pesticides might impact cancer rates and deaths.

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Study Links Widely Used Pesticides to Higher Prostate Cancer Risk

Lead researcher Dr. Simon Soerensen emphasized the importance of studying environmental factors like pesticides to explain why certain regions see higher cancer rates. He noted that understanding these risk factors could help guide future prevention strategies. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among US men, affecting approximately one in eight men in their lifetime.

The pesticides identified in the study are widely used on major crops in the US, including soybeans, corn, and wheat, which are commonly found in various food products. However, much of the corn and soy grown is processed for animal feed and fuel, rather than direct human consumption, Medical Express reported. 

Previous analyses by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have shown that pesticides frequently show up in produce, though some crops like sweet corn grown for human consumption tend to have lower pesticide levels.

While the study demonstrates a statistical link between these pesticides and prostate cancer, it does not prove that pesticides cause the disease. Chemistry professor Dr. Oliver Jones stated that further research is needed to establish any direct cause-and-effect relationship. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also oversees pesticide regulation, ensuring that registered chemicals are tested periodically to assess safety. 

Dr. Soerensen emphasized that with ongoing research, doctors and policymakers may gain a clearer picture of how to reduce cancer risks linked to environmental exposures, potentially lowering the number of prostate cancer cases and deaths in the future.

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