A new study by Mailman researchers shows that more than one sequence of steps is necessary before estrogen can cause cancer. In addition to a hormone receptor-mediated process, a second process is also required, says the study's lead author, Dr. Hari Bhat, assistant professor of environmental health sciences. Their results suggest that blocking the second pathway could prevent estrogen-induced cancers. But they also suggest that even non-carcinogenic estrogens can cause cancer given the right conditions. This research was published in the April 1 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.