PFAS & Phenols: Link to Increased Cancer Risk in Women

 The latest scientific research indicates a concerning correlation between exposure to two types of industrial chemicals, PFAS and phenols, and increased cancer risk in women. Funded by the U.S. government, this research used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and discovered that women with hormone-dependent cancers exhibit higher levels of these chemicals. These compounds are now prevalent in many daily-use products and our environment.

This pivotal research was published in the respected Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology. However, the same study found no significant links between these substances and cancer diagnoses in men.

Understanding PFAS: The Forever Chemicals

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are man-made chemicals with widespread usage. From cosmetics, food packaging, textiles, and pharmaceuticals to fire retardant foams and pesticides, PFAS are omnipresent. Known as "forever chemicals," they possess a unique chemical structure that imparts thermal stability and resistance to natural degradation processes.

Since the 1950s, PFAS have gradually accumulated in our environment, wildlife, and bodies. Although their health effects remain somewhat ambiguous, they are considered potential risk factors for various diseases, including thyroid, liver, and mammary gland disorders, low birth weight, and certain types of cancer.

Phenols: Common Yet Hazardous

Phenols, aromatic compounds derived from benzene, are commonly found in food packaging, paints, and personal care products. The reaction of two phenols with another molecule results in bisphenol A (BPA), a health-hazardous chemical used in many food and beverage containers.

Particularly, PFAS can interfere with the endocrine system, affecting growth, fertility, and hormonal mechanisms, thereby increasing the risk of hormone-dependent cancers. Astonishingly, the CDC reports that these substances are now present in the blood of 97% of Americans. A U.S. Geological Survey also indicated PFAS contamination in 45% of the tap water consumed in the U.S.

Scientists analyzed blood and urine samples of over 10,000 individuals, correlating this data with their cancer diagnoses. The most disturbing finding was that women with higher exposure to certain PFAS compounds had a twofold increased risk of melanoma. Correlations between PFAS exposure and uterine or ovarian cancer in Caucasian women, and phenol exposure and breast cancer in non-Caucasian women, were also observed.

The reasons behind these disparities remain unclear, with factors such as diet or proximity to contaminated groundwater potentially involved. While this study does not establish a direct causation between PFAS or phenol exposure and cancer, it certainly highlights the pressing need to investigate these pervasive substances more thoroughly.

Source