Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
16:24
Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells
Published on: February 21, 2014
Summary
Estrogen, unopposed by progesterone, may act as a carcinogen, increasing cancer risk. Reduced estrogen use correlates with a decline in endometrial cancer incidence, confirming this association.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Estrogen's role in carcinogenesis is a significant concern.
- Unopposed estrogen exposure has been linked to increased cancer risk in women.
- Data since 1975 highlight potential carcinogenic effects of estrogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the association between estrogen exposure and cancer development.
- To identify women at risk from exogenous and endogenous estrogen sources.
- To examine the impact of estrogen levels on endometrial cancer rates.
Main Methods:
- Review of data reported since 1975.
- Identification of at-risk populations for estrogen-related cancers.
- Correlation analysis of estrogen sales and endometrial cancer incidence.
Main Results:
- Estrogen, unopposed by progesterone, may promote carcinogenesis.
- Specific groups identified at risk include users of sequential oral contraceptives, post-menopausal women on estrogen replacement therapy, girls with ovarian dysgenesis, women with specific ovarian tumors, anovulatory women, obese postmenopausal women, and women with liver disease.
- A decrease in endometrial cancer incidence was observed with reduced estrogen sales.
Conclusions:
- Estrogen exposure, particularly when unopposed by progesterone, is associated with an increased risk of cancer.
- Identifying and managing risk factors related to estrogen exposure is crucial for cancer prevention.
- The decline in endometrial cancer rates supports the link between estrogen exposure and disease development.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:07Oogenesis
In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
01:22Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.