Endocrine ‘disruptors’ - xenoestrogens
In 2012, the WHO/United Nations reported that nearly 800 environmental chemicals are known or suspected to interfere with hormone receptors, hormone synthesis, or hormone conversion.
There's been a noted rise in non-communicable diseases affecting reproductive health, such as low semen quality, genital malformations, preterm birth, low birth weight, neurobehavioral disorders linked to thyroid dysfunction, endocrine-related cancers, early onset breast development in young girls, and type 2 diabetes. These increases appear to be influenced by environmental factors.
In the UK, it's estimated that one in two people will develop cancer during their lifetime, compared to one in three at the turn of the century. Since the 1980s, the incidence of 10 of the 20 most common cancers in the UK has increased by more than 50% in both sexes. These cancers include those of the breast, cervix, kidney, liver, melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), oral, prostate, thyroid, and uterus. While the ageing population is a significant factor, other contributing factors include increased exposure to cancer risk factors like smoking, alcohol, HPV infection, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Environmental toxins are also believed to play a role.
Xenoestrogens, synthetic industrial chemicals, are serious environmental hazards with hormone-disruptive effects on both wildlife and humans. These chemicals include plastics (bisphenol A, BPA), plasticizers (phthalates), flame retardants (polybrominated diphenyl ethers, PBDEs), pesticides (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, DDT), and pharmaceutical agents (diethylstilbestrol, DES).
Exposure to exogenous estrogens has been linked to increased breast cancer risk during life stages known as windows of susceptibility (WOS), including prenatal, pubertal, pregnancy, and menopausal transition periods. Other cancers linked to environmental exposure include those of the reproductive system, lung, kidney, pancreas, and brain.
One extensively studied xenoestrogen is bisphenol A (BPA). Originally used as a pharmaceutical estrogen in the 1930s, BPA is now commonly found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins used in food containers, water bottles, and other protective coatings. BPA has been strongly correlated with an increased risk for breast, prostate, and uterine cancer.
Other xenoestrogens of concern include phthalates, nonylphenols (NP), and parabens. Parabens are preservatives found in many consumable items such as beer, sauce, soda, and cosmetics.
Tips to Avoid Xenoestrogens
Minimize Plastic Use: Reduce the use of plastic water bottles and food containers, especially when heated. Switch to more sustainable materials like stainless steel and glass. Look for "BPA-free" labels on tinned products.
Be Mindful of Personal Care Products: Personal care and beauty products can be absorbed through the skin or respiratory tract. While product labeling can be unclear, the US has a website, EWG, which rates products, and the EU has an EcoLabel scheme. The UK currently lacks a similar consumer-friendly scheme.
Choose Natural Cleaning Products: Opt for all-natural, biodegradable laundry and household cleaning products.
Opt for Organic Foods: While organic foods can be expensive, resources like The Dirty Dozen from the Pesticide Action Network UK can help you determine which foods to prioritize as organic.
By being mindful of these tips, you can reduce your exposure to harmful xenoestrogens and support your overall health.