The incidence of postmenopausal breast cancer in relation to occupational exposure to textile fibers and dusts in Montreal, Canada, 2008-2011
Menée à partir de données canadiennes 2008-2011 portant sur 608 témoins et 695 patientes atteintes d'un cancer su sein invasif après la ménopause, cette étude analyse l'association entre une exposition professionnelle aux fibres et poussières textiles et le risque de développer la maladie
Objective: To estimate the associations between occupational exposure to textile fibers/dusts, and incidence of postmenopausal invasive breast cancer.
Methods: A population-based case-control study conducted in Montreal (2008 − 2011) identified hospital cases (N = 695) and population controls (N = 608) from the electoral list. Occupational hygienists examined participants’ occupations and tasks, and attributed exposures to several textile fibers. For all tumors and according to biomolecular subtypes, odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated using logistic regression models with different exposure indices, adjusting for potential confounders.
Results: Ever exposure to cotton dust was associated with an increased risk (OR = 1.42, 95%CI = 0.95-2.16) as was ever exposure to treated textile fibers before age 36 years and/or before first full-term pregnancy (OR = 1.39, 95%IC = 0.97-2.01).
Conclusions: These suggestive associations and the rapid evolution of textile fibers treatment warrant additional scrutiny, especially among younger women.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine , résumé, 2025