Where were microplastics found in the new study?

Microplastics were found in prostate cancer tumors and in nearby non-cancerous prostate tissue.

How much more plastic was found in cancerous prostate tissue?

Cancerous prostate tissue contained about two-and-a-half times more plastic than healthy prostate tissue.

What is the potential link between microplastics and prostate cancer?

The study suggests that long-term exposure to microplastics could be a risk factor for prostate cancer, possibly by causing an overactive immune response that damages cells.

Home / Health / Plastic Found in Prostate Cancer Tumors

Plastic Found in Prostate Cancer Tumors

24 Feb

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Summary

Microplastic fragments found in prostate cancer tumors.
Cancerous tissue had 2.5 times more plastic than healthy tissue.
Exposure to plastic may be a risk factor for prostate cancer.

New research indicates a potential hidden risk to men's health, with scientists discovering microplastic particles within prostate cancer tumors. A study analyzing prostate tissue from ten patients found plastic fragments in nine, with significantly higher concentrations in cancerous tissue—approximately 40 micrograms per gram—compared to healthy tissue—around 16 micrograms per gram.

This pilot study, conducted by NYU Langone Health, suggests that long-term exposure to microplastics, which originate from everyday items like packaging and cosmetics, could be a contributing factor to prostate cancer risk. While the findings are preliminary and do not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, they add to growing concerns about the pervasive presence of microplastics throughout the human body.