Increased Lung and Bladder Cancer Incidence In Adults After In Utero and Early-Life Arsenic Exposure

/ / Faculty Research in Latin America, Research

CGPH FACULTY: Allan H. Smith

DATE OF PUBLICATION: May 2014

REGION: Latin America

REFERENCE: Steinmaus C, Ferreccio C, Acevedo J, Yuan Y, Liaw J, Duran V, Cuevas S, Garcia J, Meza R, Valdes R, Valdes G, Benitez H, VanderLinde V, Villagra V, Cantor KP, Moore LE, Perez SG, Steinmaus S, Smith AH. Increased Lung and Bladder Cancer Incidence In Adults After In Utero and Early-Life Arsenic Exposure. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2014 May 23. pii: cebp.0059.2014.

SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: Background: From 1958-70, >100,000 people in northern Chile were exposed to a well-documented, distinct period of high drinking water arsenic concentrations. We previously reported ecological evidence suggesting that early-life exposure in this population resulted in increased mortality in adults from several outcomes including lung and bladder cancer. Conclusions: Lung and bladder cancer incidence in adults was markedly increased following exposure to arsenic in early-life, even up to 40 years after high exposures ceased. Findings like these have not been identified before for any environmental exposure, and suggest that humans are extraordinarily susceptible to early-life arsenic exposure. Impact: Policies aimed at reducing early-life exposure may help reduce the long-term risks of arsenic-related disease.

ACCESS: Link to Pubmed