Environmental contaminants can increase susceptibility to breast cancer – Digital AIM

Some people have hereditary factors that make them susceptible to cancer; However, some pollutants could have an impact on the immune system and trigger bad cancer, said Karen Nava Castro of the Center for Atmospheric Sciences (CCA) of Unam, Mexico.

Members of the CCA and the UNAM Biomedical Research Institute (UNBm) seek to determine how certain compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalates, influence the defense system, regardless of genetic factors

"People can develop bad cancer because of its genetic burden, but this condition can also be modulated by exposure to pollutants."

Phthalates and PAHs are of interest to university students because we breathe them every day because they are badociated with suspended particles. The member of the CCA Genotoxicology and Mutagenesis Ambientales group explained that if the defense system is deficient due to the presence of these chemical compounds, the cancer would be much more aggressive or develop in a shorter time, compared to those that do not. are not exposed.

The immune system is responsible for defending the body against bacteria and viruses; "In the case of cancer, it modulates the growth of tumor cells, which are also regulated by hormones."

Thus, endocrine disrupting compounds or hormonal disruptors are risk factors. These are chemicals that interact with the endocrine system; structurally, they adhere to the body's hormonal receptors and influence the immune response, which is badociated with the development of granulomas.

Every day we breathe in potentially dangerous substances. Phthalates (esters of phthalic acid, mainly used as plasticizers), for example, are present in common products such as food containers, make-up, creams, lotions, bottles and soaps, between other.

Polycyclic aromatic compounds are generated during the incomplete combustion of coal, oil, gas, wood, waste and other organic substances such as tobacco.

Unam experts badyze its effect on the immune system: "We know that some parameters are modified, especially with regard to different types of cancer, but its effect on the immune system is not yet described, and that's what we started to study, we work with cells in vitro and see that some compounds cause more cell division and others "stop" or stop functioning. "[19659004] Another dangerous substance is bisphenol A, which is usually found in plastic bottles or containers of the same material as those used to store food, and is released and goes into water or food, "and we Ingested. "

" It is known that in the countryside the conditions are healthier, the air and the water are cleaner, so the life expectancy is bigger, at least compared to this kind of disease s; However, in larger cities, in addition to being exposed to pollutants, one is under stress: "It's a sum of factors that make us more sensitive."

Cells are the first to be exposed to the substances we breathe and we eat from birth, and this will be reflected in adulthood; "That is why in this study, and in the long run, we set ourselves the goal of raising awareness among the population and decision-makers, showing them the risk of putting in place measures that reduce pollution of the environment." air."

In Mexico, he concluded, little research is being done on the contamination of water, land and air and its health impacts, "and it is what we want to make known so that we know all the risks. "

Source: Unam / Dicyt