In utero alcohol exposure increases mammary tumorigenesis in rats

Some breast cancers may be pre-initiated in utero following an exposure to elevated maternal oestrogen levels that stimulate the growth of foetal mammary gland and might cause long-lasting alterations in the expression of oestrogen-regulated genes (Trichopoulos, 1990; Hilakivi-Clarke et al, 2002). Our goal has been to identify factors that modify pregnancy oestrogen levels and daughter's breast cancer risk. These studies have to be performed first using animal models that mimic human breast cancer, since it is difficult to examine interactions between in utero exposures and breast cancer that is detected several decades later in women.