Are certain chemicals including polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are used in thousands of household and industrial products, including in stain- and heat-resistant items like non-stick cookwares fueling the rise in ovarian, skin, breast and other types of cancers in women?
A new research funded by the US government based on data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found evidence of this disturbing link. The study is published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology
The researchers also found similar links between women diagnosed with cancer and high exposures to phenols, which are commonly used in food packaging, dyes and personal care products. They did not find similar associations between the chemicals and cancer diagnoses in men.
PFAS is referred to as 'forever chemicals' due to their longevity in the environment. These are found in products such as Teflon pans, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant carpets and fabrics, and food packaging.
The study showed that women in particular who were more exposed to PFDE, a long-chain PFAS compound, were twice as likely to have a previous melanoma (form of skin cancer) diagnosis.
While the women with higher exposure to two other long-chained PFAS compounds, PFNA (Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation) and PFUA (Perfluoroundecanoic acid) had nearly double the odds of a prior melanoma diagnosis.
Researchers had analysed blood and urine samples from more than 10,000 people and found a link between PFNA and a prior diagnosis of uterine cancer.
They found that women with higher exposure to phenols, such as BPA (used in plastics) and 2,5-dichlorophenol (a chemical used in dyes and found as a by-product in wastewater treatment), had higher odds of prior ovarian cancer diagnoses.