Impact of Environmental Contaminants on Breast Cancer / Wpływ Zanieczyszczenia Środowiska Na Raka Piersi

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women. It is believed that among the causes of breast cancer, hereditary factors account for only 5-10% of risk and the environmental exposures to environmental contaminants account for an additional 30-50% of risk. This paper summarizes findings related to the risk of breast cancer due to exposure to following environmental contaminants: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins, organochlorine pesticides, organophosphorous pesticides, bisphenol A, phthalates, parabens, organic solvents, atmospheric pollutants, alkylphenols, metals, ionizing radiation, electromagnetic field and light pollution. Results obtained in in vitro experiments with breast cancer cell lines and in vivo with model rodents as well as in population based case-control studies are presented and the mode of action of individual environmental contaminants on mammary gland is discussed. Attention is also devoted to the effects of the timing of exposure to environmental contaminants (mainly exposition during development of the mammary gland) on breast cancer risk. Outcomes of professional exposure to some environmental contaminants on breast cancer risk are analysed as well.

Occurrence of Breast Cancer in the Population of Peri- and Postmenopausal Women in the Aspect of Environmental Exposure to Airborne Dust Pollution

“…Over the past decade, genetic factors have been attributed a 5-10% share in the development of breast cancer, more and more research has focused on exposure to environmental pollutants, assessing their contribution to cancer at the level of 30% or even 50%. In the case of breast cancer, especially during the development of the mammary gland, the time of exposure to carcinogenic compounds and lifestyle are a key role, as the increased risk occurs among people with a defective process of detoxification of carcinogenic xenobiotics made from chemical compounds, ubiquitous in both the external and internal environment life of a woman [7]. Estrogen oxidative catabolism, mediated by cytochrome P450 enzymes, generates reactive free radicals that can cause oxidative damage.…”

“…Environmental estrogens can induce tissue specific, time and dose dependent estrogenic or anti-estrogen responses. Their impact on neoplasm development in the mammary gland depends in particular on the intensity and duration of exposure to these compounds during the developmental stages of the mammary glands, which are extremely sensitive to hormone levels [7]. Particulate emissions are by far the main ground of air pollution, especially in urban , which include a whole range of agents with high carcinogenic potential, with PAHs in the first place.…”

“…In the atmospheric air and in the dust occurring in confined spaces, a number of chemical substances were identified, included in the group of the so-called Endocrine Disruptors (EDs) -endocrine disrupting compounds which mimic or antagonize the action of endogenous estrogens (e.g. phthalates, bisphenol A, polychlorinated biphenyls -PCBs) [7,9]. There are scientific evidence that air pollution is associated with the increased incidence of cancer and the mortality of the female population suffering from breast cancer [9].…”

“…Limiting the exposure of the female population to carcinogens both in the workplace, in the place of residence and in the surrounding environment may be the most important element of a comprehensive breast cancer prevention strategy. It would be desirable to rigorously test all new chemicals put into use for potential estrogenic activity [7].…”