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The Role of the Environment in Hormone-Related Cancers

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Environmental Endocrinology and Endocrine Disruptors

Part of the book series: Endocrinology ((ENDOCR))

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Abstract

Pathogenesis of cancer is a complex process influenced by multiple factors, including lifestyle and environment. The increased incidence of hormone-related cancers (breast, uterus, prostate) is supposed to be linked to the substantial exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors (EDs; dioxins, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, bisphenols, phthalates, etc.). Such associations have been indicated by epidemiological studies; the data particularly support the link to developmental exposures to EDs. EDs can dysregulate hormone signaling and cell functions through multifaceted molecular and biochemical mechanisms, and experimental studies reveal possible mechanisms of their oncogenic effects. Specifically, since most of the EDs are xenoestrogens, the estrogenic modes of action are partially responsible for their roles in carcinogenesis. Moreover, epigenetic mechanisms are supposed to be involved in adverse effects of EDs on future generations. In addition to EDs, the impact of other chemicals (heavy metals, cigarette smoke components, ethanol) on the onset of cancer should not be underestimated. Obesity, a substantial health problem worldwide, is considered a significant lifestyle risk factor for the endocrine-related cancers. Adipose tissue can contribute to excessive estrogen supply in the body, and adipokines can interfere with signaling pathways involved in malignant cell transformation. Further, circadian disruptions caused by exposure to artificial light at night and shift work may affect carcinogenesis in hormone-related tissues. Although the precise contribution and the mechanisms involved in the actions of these factors to cancer are not completely elucidated, the research findings can help us better understand endocrine-related cancer risk factors and identify possible ways to reduce their impact.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under contract no. APVV-18-0150 and VEGA project nos. 2/0074/18 and 2/0162/20.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic

    Alzbeta Bujnakova Mlynarcikova & Sona Scsukova

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  1. Alzbeta Bujnakova Mlynarcikova
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  2. Sona Scsukova
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alzbeta Bujnakova Mlynarcikova .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy

    Rosario Pivonello

  2. Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Evanthia Diamanti-Kandarakis

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Bujnakova Mlynarcikova, A., Scsukova, S. (2023). The Role of the Environment in Hormone-Related Cancers. In: Pivonello, R., Diamanti-Kandarakis, E. (eds) Environmental Endocrinology and Endocrine Disruptors . Endocrinology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39044-0_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39044-0_17

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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