Aggressive cancer type linked to common chemical exposure in new study

A National Institutes of Health study found that higher blood levels of two long-lasting chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, were associated with a greater rate of aggressive, oestrogen receptor-negative breast cancer. The findings add to concerns about potential health effects from PFAS, chemicals used in products such as non-stick cookware, clothing and some food packaging, but do not show that exposure causes cancer.

Researchers analysed blood samples taken before diagnosis from 1,609 women who later developed breast cancer and compared them with samples from 2,269 women. The highest exposure groups had 67% and 93% higher rates of ER-negative cancer for PFOA and PFOS respectively than the lowest groups; there was no clear link with breast cancer overall. The study examined older PFAS that have largely been phased out, and researchers said more work is needed, particularly on replacement chemicals.