Dr Kate Holmes, Research Manager at The Prostate Cancer Charity,
explains: "The effects of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in the
production of plastic packaging for food and drink, and its
possible impact on health has been the subject of debate for some
time. This new study looking at the effects of the chemical in rats
has produced some complex results.
"The researchers have shown that those rats exposed to BPA as
newborns in a concentration similar to that detected in humans, had
an increased chance of developing early cancerous changes in their
prostate cells than those rats that were not exposed to BPA as
newborns. All the rats were subsequently given a treatment to
induce cancerous changes in the prostate at seven months of age. It
is important to remember these results do not suggest that any man
who comes into contact with BPA will develop prostate cancer.
"Humans break down BPA at a much faster rate than rats, meaning
that whilst the rats may have been exposed to an equivalent level
of the chemical, this compound would actually remain in their
system for longer which may lead to more harmful effects. This
research was conducted on rats that were subsequently exposed to
hormone treatments which are used to initiate cancerous changes in
the prostate of rats. As with any studies in animals, there is much
more to be learned before we can make the leap from the laboratory
and into practical advice for men - we cannot assume that humans
will have the same response to the chemical as rats and we already
know humans have a different mechanism of breaking the chemical
down.
"We do not yet understand enough about the causes of prostate
cancer but we certainly wouldn't want men to worry about BPA
increasing their risk of prostate cancer based on this research.
This is a field of research that remains highly controversial. BPA
is still considered to be a safe product for use by the food
industry and the exposure of humans to this product is considered
to be minimal. The message to any man wishing to take control of
his overall health is clear - a diet rich in fruit and vegetables
combined with a physically active lifestyle gives you the best
chance of protecting your long-term health. Moving away from a diet
rich in meat and saturated fat will improve overall health and
reduce the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, as well
as possibly helping to prevent prostate cancer," Dr Holmes
added.