Elemental Composition of Women's Fingernails: A Comparative Analysis Between Cervical Cancer Patients and Healthy Individuals
This study investigates elemental composition differences in fingernails between cervical cancer patients and healthy individuals using the Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) method. A total of 43 fingernail samples from women diagnosed with cervical cancer and 40 from age-matched healthy controls were analyzed. The results revealed significantly higher concentrations of essential elements (Mn, Fe, and Cu) and toxic elements (Cr, As, Br, and Pb) in cancer patients. In contrast, essential elements such as Ca, Zn, and Se were found at lower levels in cancerous patients. The deficiencies in Ca, Zn, and Se are likely influenced by dietary factors, whereas the elevated levels of Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, As, Br, and Pb may be linked to environmental pollution. Strong positive correlations of elements in the fingernails of cancer patients were found between K-As, Ca-Se, Ti-Cr, Ti-Fe, Ti-Cu, Ti-Pb, Cr-Fe, Cr-Pb, Fe-Pb, Cu-Pb, As-Pb, and Sb-Ba. In contrast, strong negative correlations were observed between Ca-Ti, Ca-Pb, Cr-Zn, Fe-Zn, Cu-Zn, Cu-Se, Zn-Pb, and Se-Pb. Meanwhile, a strong positive correlation between Zn-Se and a strong negative correlation between K-Se were observed in the fingernails of healthy controls. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed the essential and toxic elements shift between cancer patients and healthy controls. The study showed significant differences in element distribution patterns and interrelationships in the fingernails of cancer patients compared to the controls. It was concluded that the considerable changes in fingernail element concentrations were associated with disease risk, specifically cervical cancer. Monitoring and regulating the intake of essential elements while controlling exposure to toxic elements could be beneficial for cervical cancer patients.