Common forever chemicals linked to nearly double the rate of aggressive breast cancer
An NIH study found that women with high levels of two common “forever chemicals” had up to 93% higher rates of an aggressive form of breast cancer. The discovery raises concerns about the potential health effects of persistent chemicals found in everyday products.
A new NIH study has found a potential link between higher levels of two common "forever chemicals," perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and a greater risk of developing a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer known as ER-negative breast cancer. Women with higher blood concentrations of these chemicals were about 67% more likely to develop ER-negative breast cancer, compared to those with lower levels.
ER-negative breast cancer is more aggressive and has poorer outcomes compared to more common forms, with fewer known risk factors. However, the study did not establish a direct causal relationship between the chemicals and breast cancer, only an association. The researchers collected blood samples from 1,609 women who developed breast cancer and a comparison group, analyzing 17 different PFAS chemicals.
While PFAS are persistent in the environment and the body, researchers emphasize that exposure is not necessarily unavoidable. The findings suggest that PFAS exposure could be one contributing factor to ER-negative breast cancer risk, opening new avenues for prevention. However, more research is needed to understand how these chemicals influence cancer development, particularly in tumors that lack estrogen receptors.
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