Forever Chemicals and Cancer: What Survivors Need to Know
I wish I could point to one moment, one exposure, one cause that explains why I got cancer so young. I can’t. I doubt any survivors can. Cancer is rarely a straight line. It’s a web of genetics, environment, timing, and misfortune.
But here’s what I do know: being exposed to PFAS (aka forever chemicals) is not helping anyone’s long‑term health, especially not mine. And now that I’m a cancer survivor, I’m paying closer attention to the things I can control to lower my odds of cancer recurrence.
This blog is not about blame. It’s about awareness. It’s about understanding what PFAS is, what it does in the body, why it’s so hard to avoid, and how we can lower our exposure even when regulation is patchy at best.
What Is PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a large group of man-made chemicals used since the 1940s to make products resistant to water, grease, stains, and heat.
PFAS is often called “forever chemicals” because the carbon-fluorine bonds that make them useful are extremely strong, meaning they don’t break down easily in the environment or the human body. As a result, PFAS can build up in water supplies, soil, wildlife, and people, and some types have been linked in studies to health concerns such as certain cancers, immune effects, cholesterol changes, and hormone disruption.
And the National Cancer Institute notes that PFOA (a type of PFAS) has now been classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
That doesn’t mean every PFAS causes cancer. It means the concern is real enough that scientists and regulators and everyday people are now paying attention.
How PFAS Behaves in the Body
PFAS doesn’t act like most chemicals. It doesn’t dissolve, break down, or get flushed out easily. Instead, it accumulates.
Here’s what researchers know so far:
1. PFAS stays in the body for years
Some PFAS has half‑lives measured in decades. That means once it’s in your bloodstream, it builds up.
2. PFAS binds to proteins
Unlike many toxins that accumulate in fat, PFAS binds to proteins in the blood, liver, and other organs. This makes it harder to eliminate and more likely to interfere with normal biological processes.
3. PFAS can affect hormone systems
Studies suggest PFAS disrupts endocrine function, which can influence metabolism, immune response, and reproductive health.
4. PFAS exposure has been linked to certain cancers
The National Cancer Institute highlights research connecting PFOA exposure to kidney and testicular cancer, with ongoing studies exploring links to other cancers.
I’m still not saying PFAS caused my cancer. But it does mean that reducing exposure is a reasonable, protective step for someone who has already walked through that fire.
Why PFAS Exposure Is Higher Now Than Ever
PFAS is everywhere. It’s in our water, soil, food packaging, clothing, carpets, and even the air. It’s been used for decades, and because it doesn’t break down, it accumulate in the environment over time.
Even as some PFAS is phased out, new ones replace them. Many of these replacements are less studied, less regulated, and potentially just as persistent.
This means exposure today isn’t just from legacy contamination. It’s ongoing.
Regulation Isn’t Keeping Up
PFAS regulation in the United States is a patchwork of state‑by‑state rules, voluntary guidelines, and evolving federal standards. The Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council notes that PFAS regulations vary widely because different agencies interpret toxicity studies differently and use different assumptions when setting limits.
Some states have strict limits. Others have none. Some regulate only a few PFAS. Others regulate dozens. And many industries are still allowed to use PFAS with minimal oversight.
The EPA has only very recently begun setting maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for certain PFAS in drinking water, but enforcement and implementation take time. Meanwhile, communities like mine, very nearby to a data center, are left wondering what’s in the water and what’s being released into the environment.
Living Near a Data Center: Why It Raises Questions
Data centers use enormous amounts of water for cooling. Some use treated wastewater. Some discharge water back into municipal systems. Some use chemicals in their cooling processes. Not all of these chemicals are PFAS, but PFAS have been found in industrial wastewater in various sectors.
Living near a data center doesn’t automatically mean PFAS exposure. But it does mean I’m paying attention. It means I’m asking questions about water quality, discharge permits, and what’s being monitored.
And it means that installing a reverse osmosis system felt like a necessary step for my peace of mind.
Reverse Osmosis: A Practical Layer of Protection
Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most effective home filtration methods for reducing PFAS in drinking water. It forces water through a semipermeable membrane that removes contaminants too small for most filters to catch.
RO systems can reduce many PFAS by 90% or more, depending on the model and maintenance. For me, it’s not about eliminating every risk. It’s about lowering the load on my body moving forward.
As a survivor, I can’t control everything. But I can control my tap water.
Where PFAS Exposure Comes From (Besides Drinking Water)
PFAS exposure isn’t just about water. It’s woven into everyday life in ways most people don’t realize. Here are some common sources:
Nonstick cookware (made with PTFE)
Waterproof or stain‑resistant fabric
Food packaging like fast‑food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags
Cosmetics including some foundations, mascaras, and long‑wear products
EPA cleanup sites
Firefighting foam used at airports and military bases
Certain cleaning products
Contaminated soil near industrial sites
What PFAS Does to Communities
PFAS contamination isn’t just a personal health issue. It’s a community issue. It affects:
drinking water systems
soil and agriculture
wildlife and ecosystems
public health budgets
trust in local infrastructure
Communities with known PFAS contamination often face years of testing, remediation, and uncertainty. And because PFAS doesn’t break down, cleanup is slow and expensive.
This is why prevention matters. Once PFAS is in the environment, it’s incredibly hard to remove.
How to Lower PFAS Exposure in Daily Life
You can’t eliminate PFAS completely. But you can reduce your exposure in meaningful ways. Here are practical steps that make a difference:
1. Filter your drinking water
Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters are the most effective options for PFAS reduction.
2. Avoid nonstick cookware
Switch to stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic.
3. Choose PFAS‑free food packaging when possible
Some brands now advertise PFAS‑free wrappers and containers.
4. Check your cosmetics
Look for products labeled PFAS‑free or avoid ingredients like “fluoro” or “PTFE.”
5. Be mindful of stain‑resistant treatments
Skip waterproof sprays and stain‑resistant coatings on furniture and clothing.
6. Reduce fast‑food and takeout packaging
PFAS are often used to prevent grease soaking through wrappers.
7. Stay informed about local water reports
Communities are increasingly testing for PFAS. Knowledge is power.
8. Support stronger regulation
Individual choices matter, but systemic change matters more.
Why This Matters to Me as a Survivor
I can’t rewrite my past. I can’t pinpoint my cancer to PFAS or to any single exposure. But I can choose differently moving forward. I can lower my family’s exposure. I can ask questions. I can advocate for better water quality. I can pay attention to what goes into our home and our bodies.
Cancer taught me that time is precious. Motherhood taught me that protecting my children is worth every ounce of effort.
I don’t need certainty to take action. I just need awareness.
And now that I have it, I’m not letting it go.
Sources:
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas
https://dceg.cancer.gov/research/what-we-study/pfas
https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/CPSC-PFAS-WhitePaper.pdf
https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PFAS_Regs-Fact-Sheet-Sept2023_final.pdf