How does exposure to environmental toxins during key developmental stages affect one's risk of getting breast cancer later in life?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide, responsible for the death of 1 in 39 women. Key developmental stages such as puberty are times when the breast is more likely to be affected by environmental toxins. Recent studies show that exposure to environmental toxins during puberty may increase the risk of developing breast cancer later in life. Some environmental toxins include everyday items used in the past and present such as Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). This review illuminates often-neglected risk factors tied to breast cancer, aiming to enhance awareness, particularly among women. It emphasizes the lasting impact of toxin exposure during puberty on subsequent breast cancer development.