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Study: Chemicals Most Important in Cancer

Posted on: Monday, 20 March 2006, 18:00 CST

University of Liverpool scientists say they've found environmental chemicals such as pesticides are more influential than thought in causing cancer.

Previous studies in cancer causation have often concluded exposure to carcinogenic or endocrine-disrupting chemicals occur at concentrations too low to be considered a major factor.

But new research finds exposure even to small amounts of such chemicals may result in an increased risk of developing cancer.

Scientists also found genetic variations, which can predispose some people to cancer, may interact with environmental contaminants and produce an enhanced effect.

Environmental contaminants -- in particular synthetic pesticides and organochlorines with hormone-disrupting properties -- could be a major factor in causing hormone-dependent malignancies such as breast, testicular and prostate cancers, said Professor Vyvyan Howard. "Preventative measures for these types of cancer have focused on educating the public about the danger of tobacco smoke, improving diet and promoting physical activity.

We should now, however, be focusing on trying to reduce exposure to problematic chemicals, he added.

The research is to be published in the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine.

Source: United Press International

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