Insights from a Comprehensive Study
PFAS remain environmentally persistent manmade pollutants that resist biodegradation. Because of this, they are known as “forever chemicals” and scientific investigators worldwide are studying the potential human health impacts. Researchers have detected PFAS chemicals in over 98% of the US population. Regulatory researchers continue to scrutinize PFAS for potentially causing kidney cancer. Most studies of the effects of PFAS on cancer risk have focused on cohorts of predominantly non-Hispanic White participants. This article will discuss two groundbreaking studies by researchers at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda Maryland into the association of PFAS blood serum levels and the corresponding rate of renal cell carcinoma.
Unprecedented Findings in 2020
In 2020, Dr. Hofmann led a groundbreaking study into the intricate relationship between PFAS exposure and kidney cancer risk. Drawing on data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, researchers examined PFAS levels measured in blood samples collected before the patient’s cancer diagnosis. The startling revelation: participants with elevated PFOA concentrations were over twice as likely to develop kidney cancer. The authors identified the lack of racial diversity of the participants as the primary limitation of this study.
Diversity in Focus – The Multiethnic Cohort Study
Recognizing the limitation of predominantly non-Hispanic White participants, researchers expanded their scope in 2023 to the Multiethnic Cohort Study (MEC). Published in Environment International, this segment of the study unveiled intriguing insights into the varied associations between PFAS and kidney cancer risk among different racial and ethnic groups. A distinctive positive link emerged among non-Hispanic White participants, echoing the findings of the 2020 study.
Elevated PFNA Levels and Disparities
Intriguingly, African American participants exhibited higher PFNA and PFOS concentrations compared to non-Hispanic White counterparts. This was consistent with observations from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Conclusion on PFAS Levels and Renal Cell Carcinoma
Researchers continue to evaluate the relationship between PFAS exposure and kidney cancer. The two studies discussed in this article remain part of an overall body of scientific evidence showing the adverse health effects of PFAS exposure. Moreover, these findings accentuate the pressing need to assess the effects of PFAS exposures in diverse populations for both public health and legal interests.
