Exposure to selected environmental xenoestrogens and breast cancer – a review of recent studies Review article

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Published: Dec 31, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24292/01.OR.143011224
Keywords:
breast cancer, bisphenol A, parabens, phthalates, endocrine-disrupting compounds

Main Article Content

Izabela Domańska
Ludwik Rydygier Specialist Hospital in Krakow
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9348-1287
Aleksandra Sagan
Ludwik Rydygier Specialist Hospital in Krakow
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6746-4726
Monika Domagała
Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic SPZOZ in Krakow
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2976-1102
Weronika Duda
Provincial Complex Hospital in Kielce
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6242-8785
Emilia Majewska
Dr. Tytus Chałubiński Specialist Hospital in Radom
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3043-1104
Małgorzata Piśkiewicz
Provincial Complex Hospital in Kielce
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0248-1137
Joanna Wiewióra
Provincial Hospital in Bielsko-Biała
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3627-0242

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in women worldwide and poses a significant
challenge to modern medicine and public health. The increase in the incidence of this type
of cancer is associated with various factors, including genetic, hormonal, lifestyle, and exposure to
harmful environmental substances. In recent years, particular attention has been paid to xenoestrogens
– synthetic chemical compounds present in the environment that mimic the action of natural
estrogens and can disrupt the human hormonal system. Xenoestrogens are found in many everyday
products, such as plastic packaging, cosmetics, detergents, and some pesticides. Scientists increasingly
indicate a possible link between their action and an increased risk of breast cancer development.
The mechanism of action of these substances is based on their ability to bind to estrogen receptors
in the body's cells, which may promote uncontrolled cell division and the development of cancerous
changes. This paper aims to present the mechanisms of action of selected environmental xenoestrogens,
their sources in the human environment, and discuss current research on their potential impact
on breast cancer risk.

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How to Cite
1.
Domańska I, Sagan A, Domagała M, Duda W, Majewska E, Piśkiewicz M, Wiewióra J. Exposure to selected environmental xenoestrogens and breast cancer – a review of recent studies. OncoReview [Internet]. 2024Dec.31 [cited 2025Feb.23];14(3(55):64-1. Available from: https://journalsmededu.pl/index.php/OncoReview/article/view/3189
Issue
Vol 14 No 3(55) (2024)
Section
GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Copyright: © Medical Education sp. z o.o. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material, provided the original work is properly cited and states its license.

Address reprint requests to: Medical Education, Marcin Kuźma (marcin.kuzma@mededu.pl)

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