Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and female cancer: Informing the patients

Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2015 Dec;16(4):359-64. doi: 10.1007/s11154-016-9332-9.

Abstract

Breast and uterine cancer are the most frequent female gender related neoplasms whose growth is mostly estrogen dependent. Therefore, any EDC exhibiting estrogenic effects may increase the risk of these two malignancies. This review focuses on the potential role of EDCs with estrogenic potential on the risk of breast and uterine neoplasms but also points to the possible role of the exposure to EDCs in the pathogenesis of ovarian and cervical cancer. It also underlines the necessity of informing the public about the presence of EDCs in common consumer products, their detrimental health effects and methods of reducing the exposure risk.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Cervical cancer; Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs); Female cancer; Ovarian cancer; Uterine cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Endocrine Disruptors / toxicity*
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Estrogens / toxicity*
  • Female
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / chemically induced*
  • Humans
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Estrogens