First study to investigate bisphenol A and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) had affected approximately 210 million males worldwide. Although aging, genetics and lifestyle have been suggested in the aetiology of BPH, these known risk factors cannot explain the increasing age-standardised prevalence rate of BPH. This is the first epidemiological study which investigated the association between chronic bisphenol A (a diverse group of chemicals widely used in plastic products) and the risk of BPH. The result revealed that frequent consumption of food or beverage in plastic containers handled with the heating process was identified as the specific source of bisphenol A (BPA)  that potentially contributed to BPH risk. (Prostate. 2021 Nov;81(15):1214-1224. doi: 10.1002/pros.24217. Epub 2021 Aug 31.)

Anyone interested in future collaboration in this field of research is welcome to contact our key investigator Prof. Shelly TSE from The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, CUHK. Prof Tse’s research focuses on occupational and environmental exposures on cancers, shiftwork, sleep/ circadian rhythm and various health impacts, and other research interests including occupational environmental health and safety.