Endocrine disruptors : are they carcinogens ?

Concerned with the high incidence of breast and prostate cancers in industrialized countries, including France, we reviewed the literature and natioaal reports on the potential carcinogenic effects of several endocrine disruptors (ED) present in the environment. We examine why it is extremely difficult to obtain clear proof of a carcinogenic effect of ED in humans. Yet the results of several independent studies strongly point to such a carcinogenic effect, particularly in the case of hormone-dependent cancers. Such malignancies have been induced experimentally in rodents and have also been observed in humans. For example, a moderately elevated incidence of prostate cancer has been noted in US farmers and, more recently, in the French West Indian population exposed for more than 30 years to the insecticide chlordecone. We discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in this effect in prostate cancer Lessons from the observed trans-generational carcinogenic effect of the synthetic estrogen diethylstilboestrol also strongly suggests that future generations must be protected from widespread distribution of synthetic estrogens in the environment. We argue that a reduction in the use of some EDs in agriculture and the plastics industry would be much more beneficial in France than the prohibition of transgenic plants.