Exposure to brominated flame retardants and through lactation delays the development of DMBA-induced mammary cancer: potential effects on subtypes?

Introduction: Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are chemical compounds used to reduce the flammability of various products; some BFRs exhibit endocrine-disrupting properties and can leach into the environment leading to human and wildlife exposure. The mammary gland has specific vulnerability windows during which it is more sensitive to the effects of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), such as the life, puberty and pregnancy. Our previous studies revealed precocious mammary gland development, disruptions in junctional proteins, and altered proliferation-apoptosis balance during puberty in rats exposed to BFRs and through lactation.