Two ‘forever chemicals’ have been linked to higher rates of aggressive breast cancer, scientists warn

Two ‘forever chemicals’ have been linked to higher rates of aggressive breast cancer, scientists warn The chemicals can remain in the body for years and are found in drinking water - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Women who have greater levels of two specific “forever chemicals” found in drinking water in their blood could be at a higher risk of developing aggressive breast cancer, a new federal study warns. The chemicals are known as perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, or PFOS. While they are no longer made in the U.S., they are two of the thousands of manmade “forever chemicals” that have been used the most in America, the American Cancer Society says. Though there is no safe level of exposure to PFOA and PFOS - which are classified as carcinogenic and possibly carcinogenic, respectively - Environmental Protection Agency data shows that hundreds of public water systems recorded the chemicals in the past couple of years. Researchers are still looking into how exposure to these chemicals can contribute to cancer growth, but the study’s authors suggest changes in the immune system or gene activity could play a role. “Women deserve clear answers about how chemicals in their environment may affect their health,” Health Sec. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said in a statement alongside the findings. After a breast biopsy or surgery, cancer cells are tested to see if they have proteins called estrogen or progesterone receptors, which can help cells grow. Breast cancers that are positive for these receptors can be treated with hormone therapy and tend to grow more slowly. But breast cancers that don’t have these receptors, such as ER-negative breast cancer, don’t respond to hormone therapy drugs and tend to grow faster. This quality is why the researchers believe PFAS could affect cancer risk through non-hormonal pathways. These cases make up about 15 percent of all breast cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S. besides skin cancers. More than 42,000 women are expected to die from breast cancer this year. The study The study’s authors measured levels of forever chemicals in the blood, finding those with the highest PFOA levels had a 67 percent higher risk of ER-negative breast cancer than people with the lowest levels, and those with the most PFOS had a 93 percent higher risk. Kennedy added the research, which links the chemicals to a higher risk of ER-negative breast cancer, demands further investigation. The PFAS study included 1,609 women who developed breast cancer and a comparison sample of 2,269 women. The researchers also analyzed years of data collected during the National Institutes of Health’s Sister Study, which is a six-year study of breast cancer risk factors in more than 50,000 sisters of women who have had breast cancer. Future research should evaluate people with higher levels of forever chemical exposure and groups more affected by ER-negative breast cancer, the authors said. “More research is needed, particularly evaluating the risk of breast cancer associated with newer replacement PFAS chemicals,” Investigator Alexandra White, who led the research, said. Limiting risk There are steps women can take to reduce their exposure to PFOA and PFOS, which can remain in the body for years. First, find out if your public drinking water has the forever chemicals. “If you get your water from a public drinking water system, reach out to your local water utility to learn about how they may be addressing PFAS as well as ask them to test the water for PFAS or to share information with you if they have already tested the water,” the EPA says. Consider purchasing a filter or drinking bottled water, instead, Brown University suggests. Not all water filters remove forever chemicals, so look for a filter that’s National Sanitation Foundation-certified to target PFAS chemicals. There’s an online tool that can help people understand their levels of risk, and there are blood tests people can take with the assistance of a doctor. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments