# Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and thyroid cancer

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how endocrine-disrupting chemicals may contribute to thyroid cancer by affecting hormone systems and suggests the need for public health action.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of how specific endocrine-disrupting chemicals contribute to thyroid cancer through various mechanisms.

## Key findings

- Endocrine-disrupting chemicals like heavy metals and bisphenol A disrupt thyroid homeostasis.
- Multiple EDC exposures may synergistically increase thyroid cancer risk.
- EDCs affect thyroid function through hormone receptor modulation and epigenetic changes.

## Abstract

Environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have emerged as a critical global health concern because of their role in various diseases, including thyroid cancer. Defined as exogenous substances that disrupt endocrine system functions, EDCs can affect multiple generations through mechanisms such as hormone receptor modulation, altered hormone synthesis, and epigenetic modifications.

The increasing global incidence of thyroid cancer has heightened interest in environmental factors, with EDC exposure recognized as a significant contributor. Compounds such as heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and bisphenol A play crucial roles in disrupting thyroid homeostasis. Emerging evidence underscores the synergistic effects of multiple EDC exposures, further amplifying cancer risk.

This review explores the relationship between EDC exposure and thyroid carcinogenesis, focusing on key chemical compounds and their mechanisms of action. Understanding these links is essential for guiding public health policies and shaping future research aimed at preventing and improving the management of this malignancy.