A new study links two common “forever chemicals” to a higher risk of aggressive breast cancer in women. The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, found that women with higher blood levels of these chemicals faced a 67% to 93% increased risk of developing a harder-to-treat form of the disease.
The chemicals in question are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely used in products like nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, and food packaging since the 1940s. PFAS earned the “forever” label because their carbon-fluorine bonds make them nearly impossible to break down, leading to persistence in both the environment and the human body.
Higher PFAS Levels, Higher Cancer Risk
The researchers analyzed data from a long-term study involving nearly 51,000 U.S. women aged 35 to 74. They compared 1,600 women who developed breast cancer with 2,300 who remained cancer-free, testing blood samples for 17 different PFAS chemicals.
The results showed a clear link between higher PFAS levels and increased cancer risk. Women with the highest levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) had a 67% greater chance of developing ER-negative breast cancer, while those with the most perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) faced a 93% higher risk.
ER-negative breast cancers are particularly concerning because they are not fueled by estrogen, making them less responsive to hormone-based treatments. These cancers tend to be more aggressive and have worse outcomes.
How PFAS Might Drive Cancer Risk
The researchers speculate that PFAS may increase cancer risk by altering gene activity or disrupting immune responses to cancer cells. However, more studies are needed to confirm these theories and to investigate whether newer PFAS compounds pose similar risks.
While older PFAS like PFOA and PFOS have been phased out in many applications, they remain widespread in the environment and in human bodies. Newer PFAS compounds have replaced them, but their long-term health effects are still unknown.
Reducing PFAS Exposure
Lead investigator Che-Jung Chang emphasized the importance of these findings for women’s health, noting that while PFAS are persistent, exposure can be reduced through proactive measures. “These findings could open new avenues for prevention,” she said.
Senior researcher Alexandra White called for additional studies on newer PFAS compounds.
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