Cadmium Is the Biggest Endocrine Disruptor Risk for Uterine Cancer

Among all endocrine-disrupting chemicals studied, cadmium shows the strongest link to endometrial (uterine) cancer. Lean, postmenopausal women are at the highest risk.

8 Studies, 2,609 Cancer Cases

Researchers reviewed all available human studies on endocrine disruptors and endometrial cancer. Eight studies met the bar, covering 2,609 cancer cases and 1,577 controls, according to a 2026 systematic review in Front Endocrinol.

Cadmium appeared in five of the eight studies, with four showing a significant positive link to endometrial cancer. The association was especially strong in lean postmenopausal women.

Other Chemicals Showed Mixed Results

BPA and phthalate results were inconsistent. Only mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) showed a positive link in one study. However, nonylphenol and octylphenol were also positively associated with endometrial cancer in the available data.

Cadmium acts as a metalloestrogen, mimicking estrogen in the body. Since endometrial cancer is hormone-driven, cadmium's ability to disrupt estrogen pathways makes it a particular threat.

What You Can Do

Don't smoke (a major cadmium source). Wash rice and produce well. Eat a varied diet to reduce cadmium from any single food source. And explore non-toxic home essentials to reduce your chemical exposure.

Also see non-toxic kitchen essentials for safer alternatives.

Source: Incognito D, Gelsomino C, Picone A, et al. (2026). Front Endocrinol.