scholarly journals Endocrine disruption of the epigenome: a breast cancer link

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. T33-T55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin C Knower ◽  
Sarah Q To ◽  
Yuet-Kin Leung ◽  
Shuk-Mei Ho ◽  
Colin D Clyne
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Breast Cancer Risk ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Endocrine Disruption ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Epigenetic Alterations ◽  
Early Life Exposure ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Heterogenous Population

The heritable component of breast cancer accounts for only a small proportion of total incidences. Environmental and lifestyle factors are therefore considered to among the major influencing components increasing breast cancer risk. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous in the environment. The estrogenic property of EDCs has thus shown many associations between ongoing exposures and the development of endocrine-related diseases, including breast cancer. The environment consists of a heterogenous population of EDCs and despite many identified modes of action, including that of altering the epigenome, drawing definitive correlations regarding breast cancer has been a point of much discussion. In this review, we describe in detail well-characterized EDCs and their actions in the environment, their ability to disrupt mammary gland formation in animal and human experimental models and their associations with exposure and breast cancer risk. We also highlight the susceptibility of early-life exposure to each EDC to mediate epigenetic alterations, and where possible describe how these epigenome changes influence breast cancer risk.

Gestational Exposure to Common Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Their Impact on Neurodevelopment and Behavior

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dinushan Nesan ◽  
Deborah M. Kurrasch
Keyword(s):  
Endocrine Disruption ◽  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Lactational Exposure ◽  
Gestational Exposure ◽  
Early Life Exposure ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Physiological Homeostasis ◽  
Nervous System Function

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are common in our environment and act on hormone systems and signaling pathways to alter physiological homeostasis. Gestational exposure can disrupt developmental programs, permanently altering tissues with impacts lasting into adulthood. The brain is a critical target for developmental endocrine disruption, resulting in altered neuroendocrine control of hormonal signaling, altered neurotransmitter control of nervous system function, and fundamental changes in behaviors such as learning, memory, and social interactions. Human cohort studies reveal correlations between maternal/fetal exposure to endocrine disruptors and incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we summarize the major literature findings of endocrine disruption of neurodevelopment and concomitant changes in behavior by four major endocrine disruptor classes:bisphenol A, polychlorinated biphenyls, organophosphates, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. We specifically review studies of gestational and/or lactational exposure to understand the effects of early life exposure to these compounds and summarize animal studies that help explain human correlative data.

scholarly journals Heavy is the Head That Wears the Crown: Black Men’s Perspective on Harmful Effects of Black Women’s Hair Product Use and Breast Cancer Risk

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 155798832097007
Author(s):  
Dede K. Teteh ◽  
Marissa Chan ◽  
Bing Turner ◽  
Brian Hedgeman ◽  
Marissa Ericson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Breast Cancer Risk ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Breast Cancer Mortality ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Personal Care Products ◽  
Personal Care ◽  
Cancer Risk Factors

Racial disparities in breast cancer are well-documented, and Black women assume a disproportionate burden of breast cancer mortality. Black women also commonly use hair products containing endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) more often at an increased rate, as compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Emerging findings have reported the use of hair and other personal care products containing EDCs may contribute to breast cancer risk. While some sociocultural perspectives about hair and identity have been explored, the role of beauty expectations upheld by males has not been studied. Through a community-based participatory methodology, we explored perceptions and beliefs held by Black men regarding Black women’s hair, chemical exposures in hair products, and breast cancer risk. Focus groups and key informant interviews—among men with and without partners with a history of breast cancer—were used to examine the male perspective regarding the attractiveness of Black hairstyles, opinions of beauty norms, and knowledge of breast cancer risk factors. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed guided by grounded theory methods. From the 66 participants interviewed, there was general support for natural hairstyles, which were associated with confidence and self-esteem in women. Men agreed that beauty standards and societal pressures play notable roles in the women’s personal behaviors though they mostly lacked knowledge of women’s breast cancer risk related to EDCs found in personal care products. Participants suggested a multipronged strategy centered on community education involving social and traditional media campaigns, and the engagement of policy makers in intervention efforts.

Prophylactic Mastectomy - Evaluation and Treatment of High Risk Patients

Swiss Surgery ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Remmel ◽  
Harder
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Breast Cancer Risk ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Prophylactic Mastectomy ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Reconstructive Procedures ◽  
Medline Search ◽  
Breast Cancer Risk Reduction ◽  
Cancer Risk Reduction

Prophylactic mastectomy is an aggressive strategy for breast cancer risk reduction. The indications and efficiency of this procedures are not yet clearly defined. Randomized, prospective studies, comparing different surgical procedures with other modalities of breast cancer risk reduction are lacking. The report evaluates the existing controversy, based on Medline search in the following sequence: risk factors, possibilities of risk reduction, effectiveness of risk reduction, technical considerations and recommendations. Patient selection is difficult and needs an interdisciplinary approach. The women have to be well informed about all treatment alternatives and various reconstructive procedures. An appropriate risk reduction strategy should be selected individually for each patient. Up to now, there exist only recommendations from different institutions but no definitive guidelines.

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