Chromium as a Risk Factor for Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#female #humans #chromium #breast-neoplasms #metals-heavy

Chromium as a Risk Factor for Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Batyrova et al., 2022 | Asian Pac J Cancer Prev | Meta Analysis

Citation

Batyrova Gulnara, Kononets Victoria, ... Umarova Gulmira. Chromium as a Risk Factor for Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2022-Dec-01;23(12):3993-4003. doi:10.31557/APJCP.2022.23.12.3993

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chromium (Cr) is a transition metal, natural element. Chromium is the 21st most abundant element in Earth's crust. Cr is found in soil, rocks and living organisms. It may have various oxidation states, from -2 to +6, but most of these states are too unstable to exist in any significant quantities. The purpose of this review and meta-analysis is to critically assess the scientific evidence on the carcinogenic effects of chromium (Cr) and to determine whether there is currently sufficient evidence to suggest that that there is a link between chromium levels in hair and blood serum and breast cancer in women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Research on the relationship between heavy metal chromium and the risk of developing breast cancer has been searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus among papers published between January 2000 and September 2020. The search used the following terms (MeSH): breast cancer, women, trace elements, metals, chromium, chemically-induced, hair, serum using additional terms. RESULTS: In the second group of comparisons of women from "ecologically clean" districts of Aktobe Region, there were significantly lower indicators of the microelements in tumor tissue. The amount of Fe ranges from 38.46 to 65.39 ug/g (average 49.56±5.81 ug/g), Cu from 2.8 to 6.69 ug/g (average 5.06±1.01 ug/g), Zn from 1.89 to 5.38 ug/g (average 3.88±0.89 ug/g), Cr from zero to 6,1 ug/g (average 2.13±1.29 ug/g), Ni from 0.11 to 0.42 ug/g (average 0.28±0.067 ug/g) и Pb from zero to 0.19 ug/g (average 0.098±0.06 ug/g). CONCLUSION: The article established that women who live or work in ecologically polluted areas or have problems with micronutrient exchange need in-depth screening and more frequent screening for early detection of pre- and breast cancer.

Key Findings

In the second group of comparisons of women from "ecologically clean" districts of Aktobe Region, there were significantly lower indicators of the microelements in tumor tissue. The amount of Fe ranges from 38.46 to 65.39 ug/g (average 49.56±5.81 ug/g), Cu from 2.8 to 6.69 ug/g (average 5.06±1.01 ug/g), Zn from 1.89 to 5.38 ug/g (average 3.88±0.89 ug/g), Cr from zero to 6,1 ug/g (average 2.13±1.29 ug/g), Ni from 0.11 to 0.42 ug/g (average 0.28±0.067 ug/g) и Pb from zero to 0.19 ug/g (average 0.0

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Chromium
  • Breast Neoplasms
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Trace Elements
  • Risk Factors
  • Environmental Monitoring

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Review, Meta-Analysis, Journal Article
  • Vertical: chromium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09