Microplastics and prostate cancer
A new study has uncovered a link between environmental pollutants and the increasing number of cases of prostate cancer. Worrying they have found that chemicals we have all been exposed to every day, at ever increasing levels, are a main culprit.
Using powerful microscopes scientist from New York, USA looked for and measured microplastics and nanoparticles prostate biopsies. These are formed from the breakdown of the trillions plastics products used every day across the World. They were shocked to find high amounts in over 60% of specimens they examined. If this was not bad enough, they saw statistically significantly higher contamination in men who had cancer as opposed to benign disease. What’s more, they also found greater levels of these small plastic fragments inside tumours rather than in nearby normal tissue.
The researchers and indeed the majority of doctors who listened to the presentation of the results at ASCO 2026 feel this strongly implies the plastics contributed to the cause of the cancers.
Why are microplastics harmful
These man-made environmental carcinogens are often called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC’s), or xenoestrogens. The most common group of EDC chemicals are bisphenol A (BPA) and the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) found in polycarbonate plastic bottles drugs and food containers. They also have chemical structures similar to oestrogen, which stimulates hormone-sensitive tissues to grow rapidly and often in an uncontrolled way. Other oestrogenic pollutants include organochlorines found in car pollution, fuels, perfumes and house hold cleaning agents. They can irritate the tissues causing inflammation – a known precursor and promoter of cancer. Together they can cause epigenetic disruption of DNA leading to overexpression of genes which promote cancer.
Other evidence of harm from plastics and xeno-estrogenic pollutants
Although this finding, in men with prostate cancer is new, evidence of harm has been building up over the last few years for cancer and other medical condtions. A number of academic centres have demonstrated that when plastic derived oestrogenic pollutants are given to laboratory mice, they induce and promote hormone sensitive cancers such as breast and ovary and uterus. Another human study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2024 showed that patients with micro/nanoplastics found in their blood vessel in their neck were about 4.5 times more likely to experience a stroke or heart attack. A report published in the International Journal of Andrology has linked pollutant oestrogenic chemicals in mothers’ breast milk with an increased rate of testicular cancer in their male children.
How to avoid Microplastics Plastics and other xeno-estrogenic exposure
Unfortunately, it is now virtually impossible to avoid microplastics and environmental xenoestrogens and these are already embedded in our environment and food chain – sadly many environmentalist now refer to them as “Forever Chemicals”. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are all around us, as well as plastics they found in cosmetics, household products, plastics and environment pollutants. To reduce the risk of prostate cancer it is important to adopted other lifestyle strategies such as exercise, ensuring adequate vitamin D levels, boosting levels of phytochemical rich foods, and maintaining a healthy gut. In addition, Here are some practical tips to mininimise exposure :
Plastics:
- Try to choose non-plastic packaging
- Use cardboard refillable washing liquids, dish washer, washing machine packaging
- Choosing whole, fresh foods where possible will also reduce your exposure to synthetic additives and preservatives found in processed foods
- Store food in china or glass containers
- Keep plastic water bottles away from heat or the sun’s ultraviolet rays, as this causes leaching of the chemicals into the foods
- Look for products packaged in plant-based plastics like PLA
Other xeno-oestrogenic chemicals
- Air pollution is all around us, but try to avoid exercising besides a busy road
- Limit the number of household cleaning products
- Keep your house well-ventilated when they are being used.
- Nurture plenty of house plants
- Avoid synthetic air fresheners in your home.
Cosmetics and personal products
- Use plain or naturally scented soap instead of shower gels
- Reduce the amount of cosmetics, perfumes or deodorants
- Avoid gels or shampoos containing parabens and preservatives
- Limit antiperspirant use to days that matter – try having days off
- Take chemical-free water wipes to work to freshen your armpits during the day
- Avoid using underarm cosmetics within one hour of shaving
- Consider natural alternatives containing essential oils
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