Research indicates that per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) – referred to as “forever chemicals” – are prevalent in the environment, leading to potential health risks for women.
Studies have associated exposure with an increased risk of certain cancers, liver damage, fertility issues, high blood pressure and other health conditions.
PFAS refers to a collection of over 15,000 compounds used in everyday objects such as shampoo, dental floss, cosmetics, nonstick cookware, food packaging and clothing.
These substances are known as “forever chemicals” due to their durability; they take decades to degrade in the environment and can stay in humans for months to years.
Unfortunately, PFAS can find its way into water supplies and food sources.
“Previous diagnoses of [the potentially fatal form of skin cancer] melanoma, ovarian and uterine cancers in women were associated with higher exposure levels to certain PFAS chemicals,” said study author Max Aung, an assistant professor of environmental health at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.
“Experimental animal and [test tube] models indicate that PFAS exposure can affect the immune system, [hormonal] system, liver function and other bodily processes,” Aung said. They may disrupt hormone function in women, increasing the chances of developing hormone-related cancers in women.
The researchers conducted a study, utilizing data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2005-2018.
This sample of over 48,000 people were asked about any previous cancer diagnosis and their responses were compared to PFAS exposures.
Women who had higher exposure to PFDE, PFNA, and PFUA were twice as likely to report a prior diagnosis of melanoma.
Additionally, there was a correlation between those with high levels of PFNA and women with previous uterine cancer diagnoses.
The study also revealed that women who had been exposed to higher levels of phenols such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and 2,5-dichlorophenol, a chemical used in dyes and a byproduct of wastewater treatment, were more likely to report a prior ovarian cancer diagnosis.
No link was found between blood markers of PFAS and previous cancer diagnoses in men.
They did, however, find some racial differences.
White women exposed to PFAS were more likely than Black women to have a previous diagnosis of ovarian and uterine cancer.
White men with PFAS exposure were more likely than Black men to have a previous prostate cancer diagnosis, the study found.
Unless and until these chemicals are better regulated or banned at a federal level, Aung said it’s important to take steps to lower your exposure.
“On an individual level, you can reduce exposures by avoiding certain products such as nonstick cookware and food packaging containers,” he said. “There are also some water filters that can help reduce PFAS contamination in drinking water.”
The study was published Monday in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology.
David Andrews, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group in Washington, D.C., reviewed the findings.
“This study adds even more evidence to a growing body of scientific research linking exposure to common man-made chemical contaminants with higher risk of developing cancer,” he said. “Much more scrutiny is needed to ensure that chemicals that impact the endocrine system and change hormone levels are not contaminating our bodies.”
Just in women? How does that work?? Sounds bogus to me. I am sure there is all kinds of junk in our water. But it would not only effect women.
Toxins in the food, chemicals in the water, industrial pollution in the air, metal substrates from the sky, flesh eating worms in our body, and vaccines that kill us. There is no humanity left in politics or big business. Mankind has lost its kind.
marlene, you just stated the whole truth. Good job.
So we need to sue the government for endangering our lives our children’s lives and pets lives, because they forced this garbage on the American People and those who have gotten cancer get Triple the amount I have had it twice and doesn’t run in my family