BREAST-CANCER - POTENTIALLY PREDISPOSING AND PROTECTING FACTORS - ROLE OF PREGNANCY, LACTATION, AND ENDOCRINE STATUS

Abstract

Risk factors of human breast cancer were correlated with the availability of estradiol and estrone. Mechanisms protecting from breast cancer are thought to be due to the mitotic rest of mammary epithelium (low DNA synthesis), as encountered during pregnancy and lactation, and the actions of estriol and progesterone in opposing carcinogenic estradiol and estrone.