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2 Overview of the present status of epidemiologic studies
on the health effects of endocrine disruptors
[Carcinogenesis]
2.1 Breast cancer
[Summary]
Literature survey concerning epidemiology of endocrine
disruptors (except dioxins) and breast cancer was performed.
Searching the PubMed database retrieved 48 reports up to Dec.
31, 2000, of which 6 were cohort studies and 34 were
case-control studies. The latter consisted of 10 nested
case-control studies, 4 synchronic studies and 3 ecological
studies. Since Jan. 1, 2001, 2 cohort studies and 18
case-control studies were published, the latter consisting of 4
nested case-control studies, 1 case study, 2 synchronic studies
and 3 ecological studies. No Japanese subject was studied in
these papers. Examination of these reports found no consequent
evidence of increased risk due to organochlorine compounds. More
than one report indicates increased breast cancer risk by oral
exposure to diethylstilbestrol. Relationship of other endocrine
disruptors with breast cancer is still poorly understood and
needs more study.
[Purpose]
Some organochlorine compounds have estrogen-like activities. The
relationship of exposure to these compounds with breast cancer
has been attracted attention. Animal experiments have shown that
diethylstrilbestrol and ethynylestradiol causes tumor in the
mammary gland of mice (2000). Literature was surveyed in order
to summarize the present status of epidemiologic research on the
relationship of chemical substances and breast cancer.
[Method]
The PubMed database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi)
provided by National Library of Medicine was searched with a
strategy "(Breast Neoplasms) AND (Insecticides OR Pesticides OR
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons OR PCBs OR Bisphenol OR Phenol OR
Phthalate OR Styrene OR Furan OR Organotin OR Diethylstilbestrol
OR Ethinyl Estradiol) AND (human)". From among 1317 citations
retrieved which were published up to October 31, 2004, original
papers reporting epidemiologic studies on human populations were
selected, and as necessary, other articles cited in these papers
or reviews were added.
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