Earlier Puberty

“Many substances affect the production and function of hormones, which are crucial to normal growth and development, and to the maintenance of numerous biologic processes.  For example, some synthetic chemicals and natural compounds act as weak estrogens in the human body.  Among other effects, these substances appear to be contributing to earlier puberty and, therefore, to a longer period of estrogen exposure in women.  Longer lifetime estrogen exposure is linked to higher risk of hormone-dependent cancers.  Male hormone function also can be affected by these compounds.  Known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals [EDCs], these substances typically are not listed as carcinogens by regulatory agencies, but the body of evidence linking EDCs to breast and other cancers is growing.”

– Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk: What We Can Do Now (2008 – 2009) by the President’s Cancer Panel; page 3