Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive OncologyMar 16, 2005

Urinary cadmium linked to estrogen and androgen levels in postmenopausal Japanese women

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Apr 5, 2026

Abstract

Urinary cadmium concentrations were significantly associated with testosterone levels in 164 postmenopausal Japanese women.

Higher urinary cadmium levels (> or = 3.00 microg/g creatinine) correlated with a 28% increase in serum testosterone compared to lower levels (< 2.00 microg/g creatinine).
No significant associations were found between urinary cadmium and serum estrone or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels.
Adjustments for smoking, alcohol consumption, and reproductive factors did not significantly change the observed association.
The findings suggest a potential link between cadmium exposure and increased testosterone levels, which may relate to breast cancer risk.

Simplified

BACKGROUND: Recent laboratory studies have suggested that cadmium is an estrogenic compound and may be a potential risk factor for breast cancer.

METHODS: We investigated the relationship between urinary cadmium concentrations and serum concentrations of estrone, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in 164 postmenopausal Japanese women.

RESULTS: There was a significant positive association between the urinary cadmium and serum testosterone levels after controlling for age and body mass index. The mean testosterone level was 28% higher in women with high urinary cadmium (> or = 3.00 microg/g creatinine) than in those with low urinary cadmium (< 2.00 microg/g creatinine). Urinary cadmium was not significantly associated with serum estrone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels. Additional adjustment for smoking, alcohol and reproductive factors including known risk factors for breast cancer did not substantially alter the results.

CONCLUSION: Data suggested that cadmium exposure is associated with increased testosterone levels. As high testosterone levels have been associated with the risk of breast cancer, the involvement of cadmium exposure in breast cancer risk should be evaluated in future studies.

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Urinary cadmium linked to estrogen and androgen levels in postmenopausal Japanese women

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