Microplastics in Prostate Tumors
"By uncovering yet another potential health concern posed by plastic, our findings highlight the need for stricter regulatory measures to limit the public's exposure to these substances, which are everywhere in the environment," said study co-author Vittorio Albergamo. (Getty Images/pcess609)
Plastic has been discovered in an unexpected place: inside most prostate tumors examined in a new study. Researchers at NYU Langone Health found microplastics in nine out of ten prostate cancers they analyzed—at concentrations about 2.5 times higher than in nearby noncancerous tissue.
The small pilot study, which looked at samples from 10 men undergoing prostate removal, will be presented Thursday at an American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting. According to ScienceDaily, it is the first study in the Western world to directly compare plastic levels in prostate tumors with those in healthy prostate tissue.
To avoid lab contamination, the team used nonplastic instruments and conducted testing in rooms specifically designed for microplastic analysis. “Our pilot study provides important evidence that microplastic exposure may be a risk factor for prostate cancer,” said lead author Stacy Loeb, a professor in the NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Departments of Urology and Population Health. One theory is that the particles could trigger long-lasting inflammation that promotes cancer development.
Loeb noted that while prior research has suggested possible links between microplastics and conditions like dementia and heart disease, there was previously little evidence connecting them to prostate cancer. Researchers caution that the study’s small sample size limits conclusions, but they say the results strengthen calls for tighter controls on plastic exposure.
Michael Eisenberg, a urology professor at Stanford University School of Medicine not involved in the study, told NBC News that while the research does not prove cause and effect, “we are finding many signals about the astonishing prevalences of micro/nanoplastics and the concerning associations with health problems.”
About Post Author
