NIH Study Links Two Common PFAS to Increased Risk of Aggressive Breast Cancer
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November 5, 2026
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Higher blood concentrations of PFOA and PFOS were associated with increased incidence of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer, but not clearly with overall breast cancer risk.
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Compared with women in the lowest exposure group, those with the highest PFOA levels had a 67% higher rate of ER-negative breast cancer, and those with the highest PFOS levels had a 93% higher rate.
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Researchers measured 17 PFAS in blood collected years before diagnosis and analyzed 1,609 women who developed breast cancer and 2,269 comparison participants from the Sister Study.
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The Sister Study enrolled 50,884 US and Puerto Rico women ages 35 to 74 who had no breast cancer diagnosis but had a sister with the disease.
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The authors said the study did not test proposed nonhormonal mechanisms and called for further research, including on newer PFAS replacements.
Based on findings from:
Two ‘forever chemicals’ associated with higher risk of aggressive breast cancer in NIH analysis
National Institutes Of Health, 2026.
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/two-forever-chemicals-associated-higher-risk-aggressive-breast-cancer-nih-analysis
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