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What are PFAS, the concerning 'forever chemicals?'
PFAS are increasingly being found unnaturally in water sources, food, and animals.
Two "forever chemicals," also known as PFAS, have been linked to a higher risk of aggressive breast cancer, according to a recent study from the National Institutes of Health.
Chemicals found in everyday items
Dig deeper:
Researchers found that women with higher levels of PFOA and PFOS (both types of PFAS) in their blood had a 67% higher rate of ER-negative breast cancer. For PFOS, the rate was 93% higher.
It was noted that while there was no clear association observed between the two chemicals and breast cancer risk overall, researchers believed further study is warranted.
What they're saying:
"Our findings, which we confirmed using a meta-analysis of prior research, indicate that certain legacy PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, are associated with a higher risk of ER-negative breast cancer, a more aggressive tumor type with few known risk factors," explained NIH Stadtman Investigator Alexandra White, Ph.D., who led the study. The findings are reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated the Trump administration would "pursue the evidence" to help give patients "clear answers" about how chemicals such as PFAS impact women's health.
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that are used in common consumer products such as nonstick pans, food packaging and even clothes, according to the NIH.
FILE - Medical personnel use a mammogram to examine a woman's breast for breast cancer. (Photo by Michael Hanschke/picture alliance via Getty Images)
What is ER-negative breast cancer?
Big picture view:
ER-negative breast cancer tumors are notoriously difficult to treat because they lack the standard hormone receptors targeted by common therapies, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation website.
Why you should care:
While major manufacturers have largely phased out older chemicals like PFOA and PFOS, scientists point out that the newer replacement compounds must also be thoroughly studied.
Health officials emphasized that identifying these environmental connections is a vital first step in helping people lower their exposure and better protect their long-term health.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from a Nov. 5, 2026, news release about the National Institutes of Health’s study and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation website. This story was reported from San Jose.