Endocrine disruptors may increase the risk of endometrial cancer

A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives by researchers from ibs.GRANADA, IDIBELL, the Catalan Institute of Oncology and the University of Granada reveals an association between mixtures of environmental pollutants and a greater risk of developing endometrial cancer.

Research led by the Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), IDIBELL, the Catalan Institute of Oncology and the University of Granada, published today in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, has revealed the connection between environmental pollutants and breast cancer. endometrium. This is a collaborative work in which scientists and doctors from the Bellvitge University Hospital and CIBERESP have participated.

Endometrial cancer is a type of tumor that develops on the inside of the uterus and accounts for more than 5.000 new cases in Spain annually, with a great impact on women's health. Furthermore, this type of cancer occurs with increasing frequency, in part, due to the aging of the population. On the other hand, as it is a type of hormone-dependent cancer, estrogens can intervene in its development and evolution.

Now, this study addresses the relationship between endometrial cancer and exposure to mixtures of environmental pollutants that can interfere with hormone functions. This class of chemical compounds also known as endocrine disruptors, which act as xenoestrogens, are found in many industrial products, including pesticides and herbicides, as well as cosmetics and other everyday consumer items.

Using advanced chemical analysis techniques and biological assays, researchers have evaluated the total hormonal load in the blood of more than 300 women, with and without endometrial cancer. “The use of these biological assays helps us understand the negative impact of chemical mixtures” says Marieta Fernández, researcher of the group A15-Basic and Clinical Oncology from ibs.GRANADA, researcher at CIBERESP and professor at the University of Granada.

The results reveal an association between exposure to endocrine disruptors and an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer. “It is interesting that we found the effect with medium doses of xenoestrogens, but not with high ones, similar to what was observed with endogenous hormones.”explains Laura Costas, researcher at IDIBELL and the Catalan Institute of Oncology.

"This relationship is surely linked to the nature of the tumor itself, being a hormone-dependent cancer. Therefore, we also want to study whether the presence of xenoestrogens would imply a worse evolution of the pathology in those women who already have the disease.”Advances Costas, also a CIBERESP researcher.

This research sheds light on the negative impact of endocrine disruptors on human health and has significant implications for public health. Furthermore, the results emphasize the need to consider the combined effect of chemical mixtures when assessing environmental risk.

Reference article:

Costas L, Frias-Gomez J, Peinado FM, Molina-Molina JM, Peremiquel-Trillas P, Paytubi S, Crous-Bou M, de Francisco J, Caño V, Benavente Y, Pelegrina B, Martínez JM, Pineda M, Brunet J , Matias-Guiu X, de Sanjosé S, Ponce J, Olea N, Alemany L, Fernández MF. Total Effective Xenoestrogen Burden in Serum Samples and Risk of Endometrial Cancer in the Spanish Screenwide Case-Control Study. Environ Health Perspect. 2024 doi: 10.1289/EHP13202