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CANCER AND DEVELOPMENTAL EXPOSURE TO ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS
Citation:
Birnbaum, L S. AND S E. Fenton. CANCER AND DEVELOPMENTAL EXPOSURE TO ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 111(4):389-394, (2003).
Description:
ABSTRACT
Developing organisms have been shown to have increased susceptibility to cancer if exposed to environmental toxicants during rapid growth and differentiation. Human studies have demonstrated clear increases in cancer following prenatal exposure to ionizing radiation, and there is suggestive evidence for brain tumors and leukemia in association with parental exposures to chemicals. Animal experiments have demonstrated increased tumor formation induced by prenatal or neonatal exposure to a variety of chemicals, including direct acting carcinogens and drugs. Recently, natural estrogens have been classified as known human carcinogens. Prenatal exposure to natural and synthetic estrogens is associated with increases in breast and vaginal tumors in people, as well as uterine tumors in animals. Synthetic halogenated chemicals have been shown to increase liver tumors following early life-stage exposure. Recently, developmental exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has been shown to cause an increase in susceptibility to breast cancer in rodents. Dioxin alters multiple endocrine systems. Its effects on the developing breast involve alterations in proliferation and differentiation of the mammary gland, as well as an elongation of the window of sensitivity to potential carcinogens. Similar effects have been recently observed following prenatal exposure to atrazine, a common pesticide. Implications of these new findings suggest that causes of endocrine related cancers or susceptibility to cancer, may be a result of developmental exposures, rather than those exposures in proximity to the time of tumor detection.