Estrogens and the Risk of Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review of Literature

Overview

Journal Heliyon

Specialty Social Sciences

Date 2023 Oct 9

PMID 37809638

Authors

Khayry Al-Shami

Sajeda Awadi

Almuatasim Khamees

Ahmad Malek Alsheikh

Sumaiya Al-Sharif

Raneem Ala Bereshy

Sharaf F Al-Eitan

Sajedah H Banikhaled

Ahmad R Al-Qudimat

Raed M Al-Zoubi

Mazhar Salim Al Zoubi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In female mammals, the development and regulation of the reproductive system and non-reproductive system are significantly influenced by estrogens (oestrogens). In addition, lipid metabolism is another physiological role of estrogens. Estrogens act through different types of receptors to introduce signals to the target cell by affecting many estrogen response elements. Breast cancer is considered mostly a hormone-dependent disease. Approximately 70% of breast cancers express progesterone receptors and/or estrogen receptors, and they are a good marker for cancer prognosis. This review will discuss estrogen metabolism and the interaction of estrogen metabolites with breast cancer. The carcinogenic role of estrogen is discussed in light of both conventional and atypical cancers susceptible to hormones, such as prostate, endometrial, and lung cancer, as we examine how estrogen contributes to the formation and activation of breast cancer. In addition, this review will discuss other factors that can be associated with estrogen-driven breast cancer.

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