Higher BPA Levels Associated with Prostate Cancer

By Amy Orciari Herman

Higher urinary levels of bisphenol A (BPA) are linked to early-onset prostate cancer, according to a PLoS ONE study.

Researchers measured urinary BPA concentrations in 60 urology patients, about half of whom had prostate cancer. Concentrations were significantly higher in patients with than without cancer, particularly among those younger than 65.

In addition, when prostate cancer cells were treated in vitro with low doses of BPA, there was a significant increase in the proportion of cells with three or more centrosomes (untreated cells showed no such increase). This "centrosome amplification," the researchers say, commonly occurs in human tumors and "may contribute to neoplastic transformation of the prostate."

BPA, found in many plastics and food and beverage containers, is detectable in the urine of over 90% of Americans, the researchers note.