Breast cancer and organochlorines: a marker for susceptibility?
The incidence of breast cancer is increasing and despite extensive research efforts, the etiology of this disease is largely unknown. Most women exhibit no known risk factors except for their age and sex. It has recently been postulated that the increased breast cancer incidence might be attributed to exposure to environmental carcinogens such as the organochlorine compounds. In this article, the scientific literature with respect to this possibility is reviewed and alternative hypotheses, which may in part explain the possible role of organochlorine compounds in the etiology of breast cancer, are presented.
Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
M A
MA
Musgrave
K J
KJ
Aronson
S
S
Narod
W
W
Hanna
A B
AB
Miller
D R
DR
McCready
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D001822:Body Burden; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000009:adverse effects; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000378:metabolism; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D007306:Insecticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002273:Carcinogens; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D004967:Estrogens; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007306:Insecticides