Residential proximity to national priorities list superfund sites is associated with increased likelihood of metastatic breast cancer presentation

Abstract Breast cancer (BCa) is the most diagnosed female malignancy globally. While genetic and behavioral causes are known determinants of risk and stage at diagnosis, less is known about how environmental exposures influence etiology and progression. This study evaluates the association between N...

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Main Authors: Peter A. Borowsky, Lauren Nahodyl, Emma Herbach, Ming Lee, Nancy S. Elliott, Aristeidis G. Telonis, Neha Goel, Erin N. Kobetz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05722-6
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author Peter A. Borowsky
Lauren Nahodyl
Emma Herbach
Ming Lee
Nancy S. Elliott
Aristeidis G. Telonis
Neha Goel
Erin N. Kobetz
author_facet Peter A. Borowsky
Lauren Nahodyl
Emma Herbach
Ming Lee
Nancy S. Elliott
Aristeidis G. Telonis
Neha Goel
Erin N. Kobetz
author_sort Peter A. Borowsky
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Breast cancer (BCa) is the most diagnosed female malignancy globally. While genetic and behavioral causes are known determinants of risk and stage at diagnosis, less is known about how environmental exposures influence etiology and progression. This study evaluates the association between National Priorities List (NPL) superfund site (SF) proximity and metastatic BCa presentation. The Florida Cancer Data System (FCDS) was used to source female BCa cases diagnosed between 2015 and 2019 with valid census tract identification numbers. NPL proximity was defined as ≥ one NPL site within census-designated place (CDP) of residence. Multivariable analyses were performed to assess association between SF proximity and increased odds of metastatic versus non-metastatic BCa presentation. 21,505 BCa cases were obtained. Mean age was 62 ± 14 years. Most patients were White (79%), non-Hispanic (62.7%), and had non-metastatic disease (93.6%). 10.1% of patients resided in CDPs with ≥ one SF. On multivariable analysis adjusting for age, race, ethnicity, and insurance type, living proximal to ≥ one SF was associated with 29% higher likelihood for metastatic versus non-metastatic disease (aOR 1.29; CI 1.08–1.59; p = 0.005); further adjustment for median income still resulted in a 27% higher likelihood (aOR 1.27; CI 1.06–1.51; p = 0.009). Living near NPL SF was associated with nearly 30% higher likelihood of metastatic versus non-metastatic BCa at the time of diagnosis. These findings suggest an etiologic role of environmental exposures in BCa and imply pollutants influence tumor biology and aggressiveness. Further research is warranted to histologically validate and explore underlying mechanisms.
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spelling doaj-art-12a4ac8dbb224235b9c3176c0983e4b22025-08-20T03:37:30ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511910.1038/s41598-025-05722-6Residential proximity to national priorities list superfund sites is associated with increased likelihood of metastatic breast cancer presentationPeter A. Borowsky0Lauren Nahodyl1Emma Herbach2Ming Lee3Nancy S. Elliott4Aristeidis G. Telonis5Neha Goel6Erin N. Kobetz7Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of MiamiClinical Translational Science Institute, University of MiamiSylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of MedicineSylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of MedicineSylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of MedicineSylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of MedicineDivision of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of MiamiSylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of MedicineAbstract Breast cancer (BCa) is the most diagnosed female malignancy globally. While genetic and behavioral causes are known determinants of risk and stage at diagnosis, less is known about how environmental exposures influence etiology and progression. This study evaluates the association between National Priorities List (NPL) superfund site (SF) proximity and metastatic BCa presentation. The Florida Cancer Data System (FCDS) was used to source female BCa cases diagnosed between 2015 and 2019 with valid census tract identification numbers. NPL proximity was defined as ≥ one NPL site within census-designated place (CDP) of residence. Multivariable analyses were performed to assess association between SF proximity and increased odds of metastatic versus non-metastatic BCa presentation. 21,505 BCa cases were obtained. Mean age was 62 ± 14 years. Most patients were White (79%), non-Hispanic (62.7%), and had non-metastatic disease (93.6%). 10.1% of patients resided in CDPs with ≥ one SF. On multivariable analysis adjusting for age, race, ethnicity, and insurance type, living proximal to ≥ one SF was associated with 29% higher likelihood for metastatic versus non-metastatic disease (aOR 1.29; CI 1.08–1.59; p = 0.005); further adjustment for median income still resulted in a 27% higher likelihood (aOR 1.27; CI 1.06–1.51; p = 0.009). Living near NPL SF was associated with nearly 30% higher likelihood of metastatic versus non-metastatic BCa at the time of diagnosis. These findings suggest an etiologic role of environmental exposures in BCa and imply pollutants influence tumor biology and aggressiveness. Further research is warranted to histologically validate and explore underlying mechanisms.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05722-6
spellingShingle Peter A. Borowsky
Lauren Nahodyl
Emma Herbach
Ming Lee
Nancy S. Elliott
Aristeidis G. Telonis
Neha Goel
Erin N. Kobetz
Residential proximity to national priorities list superfund sites is associated with increased likelihood of metastatic breast cancer presentation
Scientific Reports
title Residential proximity to national priorities list superfund sites is associated with increased likelihood of metastatic breast cancer presentation
title_full Residential proximity to national priorities list superfund sites is associated with increased likelihood of metastatic breast cancer presentation
title_fullStr Residential proximity to national priorities list superfund sites is associated with increased likelihood of metastatic breast cancer presentation
title_full_unstemmed Residential proximity to national priorities list superfund sites is associated with increased likelihood of metastatic breast cancer presentation
title_short Residential proximity to national priorities list superfund sites is associated with increased likelihood of metastatic breast cancer presentation
title_sort residential proximity to national priorities list superfund sites is associated with increased likelihood of metastatic breast cancer presentation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05722-6
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