Endocrine disruptors in hormone-sensitive female cancers.

Thanks to their molecular affinity with natural hormones, endocrine disruptors (EDs) can interfere with the endocrine system by activating or blocking the receptor signal transduction. According to the World Health Organization, EDs and potential EDs are mostly man-made, found in various materials such as pesticides, metals, personal care products, additives or contaminants in food, and the human exposure to EDs occurs via ingestion of food, dust and water, via inhalation of gases and particles in the air, and through the skin. In 2015, the Endocrine Society released its second scientific statement about the evidence that EDs have effects on female reproduction, breast development and hormone-sensitive cancers in females, such as breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer. Therefore, prevention campaigns to reduce the female exposure to EDs and, consequently, the death burden of hormone-sensitive female cancers are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]