Common forever chemicals linked to nearly double rate of aggressive breast cancer

A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that women with elevated blood levels of two common 'forever chemicals'—perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)—had up to a 93% higher rate of developing an aggressive form of breast cancer.

The research specifically linked these chemicals to estrogen receptor-negative (ER-negative) breast cancer, a subtype that lacks estrogen receptors and tends to be more aggressive with poorer outcomes compared to other breast cancers, according to ScienceDaily Health.

Both PFOA and PFOS are part of a larger family of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) widely used in everyday consumer products. These substances are known as 'forever chemicals' because they persist in the environment and accumulate in the human body over time.

While the study found a strong association between these chemicals and ER-negative breast cancer, it did not find a clear link between the chemicals and breast cancer risk overall.

The findings highlight concerns about the health effects of persistent environmental chemicals and underscore the need for further research to better understand and address these risks, as noted by the NIH and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.