Cancer
Study links two PFAS chemicals with higher risk of ER-negative breast cancer
Higher blood levels of PFOA and PFOS were associated with higher rates of ER-negative breast cancer, but not clearly with breast cancer overall.
Researchers found that higher blood levels of two PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, were associated with higher rates of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer. The highest PFOA group had a 67% higher rate than the lowest group, while the highest PFOS group had a 93% higher rate. These are relative differences between groups, not an individual woman’s chance of developing breast cancer. The study found no clear association between the chemicals and breast cancer overall, Medical Xpress reported.
The researchers studied 1,609 women who developed breast cancer and a comparison sample of 2,269 women from the Sister Study. ER-negative tumors lack receptors that allow estrogen to help cancer cells grow and tend to be more aggressive, according to Medical Xpress. A meta-analysis of seven prior studies supported an association for PFOA, but less so for PFOS, MedPage Today reported. The researchers said future studies should examine people with higher PFAS exposure and newer replacement chemicals.
