Putting Together the Pieces of the Mosaic - What Do We Know About Potential Environmental and Social Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?

Background: The human breast undergoes processes of proliferation andinvolution, especially during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. During thesedynamic phases, some specific environmental factors play important roles, includingpro-carcinogenic effects. In addition to the usual breast tumor, its pathologiccharacteristics, and genetic variants, different environmental and social factors createadditional challenges to the accurate comprehension of breast cancer (BC) risk,diagnosis, prophylaxis, and treatment.Methods: This mini-review is based on Medline database search for recentclinical studies on BC risk factors, development, and prevention, particularly at thetime of puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.Results: Based on the medical literature review, some insights were provided intohow external environmental factors influence BC risk, incidence, and mortality.Also, in an attempt to answer this key question, the selected chemical and physicalcomponents of the environment, as well as the large spectrum of social andbehavioral elements, were analyzed.Conclusion: It has been suggested that a broad spectrum of established andpotential environmental elements have been related to BC etiology. Furthermore, amodern transdisciplinary approach to research studies, including epidemiological,biological, toxicological, pathological, genetic, social, and behavioral factors shouldhelp provide the “whole picture” of the environmental risk factors and causes for BC.This is particularly valid to medical personnel involved in women's health tofacilitate preventive efforts, especially for those who are at the highest risk for thiscommon and devastating malignancy.

Keywords:

Breast cancer (BC) , environment , endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) , transdisciplinary research , prevention.