Association of urinary cadmium and arsenic with gynecological cancers: Results from NHANES 2003-2018.
10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2025.240591
- Author:
Yuanna JIANG
1
,
2
;
Jie WANG
3
;
Zhouxiao HE
1
;
Xuanang XIANG
1
;
Ruichen YANG
1
;
Qian WANG
1
;
Lanqin CAO
1
,
4
Author Information
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha
2. 228111119@csu.edu.cn.
3. National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics (Xiangya Hospital, Central South University), Changsha
4. 401531@csu.edu.cn.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
endometrial cancer;
gynecologic cancer;
ovarian cancer;
urinary arsenic;
urinary cadmium
- MeSH:
Humans;
Female;
Cadmium/urine*;
Arsenic/urine*;
Genital Neoplasms, Female/urine*;
Middle Aged;
Nutrition Surveys;
Adult;
Risk Factors;
Environmental Exposure/adverse effects*;
Aged
- From:
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences)
2025;50(1):23-35
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES:Previous studies have demonstrated that the metals cadmium and arsenic exhibit estrogen-like effects and may influence the occurrence and development of gynecological tumors. This study aims to explore the association between urinary cadmium and arsenic levels and the prevalence of gynecologic cancers using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
METHODS:Data from female participants in NHANES 2003-2018 were analyzed. Using R software, datasets (DEMO, BMX, etc.) were merged, and complete cases were retained by intersecting row names, yielding a total of 2 999 participants. After applying strict exclusion criteria, 2 802 participants were included: 83 with gynecologic cancer (cancer group) and 2 719 without (control group). Demographic, reproductive health, and urinary cadmium and arsenic data were collected. Binary Logistic regression models were employed to assess associations between urinary cadmium and arsenic levels and gynecologic cancer risk.
RESULTS:High urinary cadmium and arsenic levels were risk factors for gynecologic cancers, with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.623 (95% CI 1.217 to 2.166) and 1.003 (95% CI 1.001 to 1.005), respectively. After propensity score matching (PSM), the trend remained; cadmium was still a statistically significant risk factor with an OR of 2.182 (95% CI 1.343 to 3.545), while arsenic's association, though not statistically significant, still trended toward risk (OR=1.004, 95% CI 0.999 to 1.009). Subgroup analyses showed that both cadmium and arsenic were risk factors for ovarian cancer (OR=1.745, 95% CI 1.178 to 2.586 and OR=1.005, 95% CI 1.002 to 1.008, respectively); these associations persisted after PSM. Additionally, cadmium increased the risk of endometrial cancer (OR=1.617, 95% CI 1.109 to 2.356).
CONCLUSIONS:Exposure to cadmium and arsenic is associated with an increased risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers. These findings suggest that reducing environmental exposure to heavy metals such as cadmium and arsenic may help prevent certain gynecologic cancers.
