Epidemiological trends of hormone-related cancers in Slovenia

Arh Hig Rada Toksikol. 2016 Jun 1;67(2):83-92. doi: 10.1515/aiht-2016-67-2731.

Abstract

The incidence of hormone-related cancers tends to be higher in the developed world than in other countries. In Slovenia, six hormone-related cancers (breast, ovarian, endometrial, prostate, testicular, and thyroid) account for a quarter of all cancers. Their incidence goes up each year, breast and prostate cancer in particular. The age at diagnosis is not decreasing for any of the analysed cancer types. The risk of breast cancer is higher in the western part of the country, but no differences in geographical distribution have been observed for other hormone-related cancers. Furthermore, areas polluted with endocrine-disrupting chemicals that affect hormone balance such as PCBs, dioxins, heavy metals, and pesticides, do not seem to involve a greater cancer risk. We know little about how many cancers can be associated with endocrine disruptors, as there are too few reliable exposure studies to support an association.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Breast Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Dioxins / adverse effects
  • Endocrine Disruptors / adverse effects*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Metals, Heavy / adverse effects
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Pesticides / adverse effects
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / adverse effects
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Slovenia / epidemiology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / etiology*

Substances

  • Dioxins
  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Pesticides
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls