It has been suggested that microplastic particles may directly cause prostate cancer. A study showed that 2.5 times more microplastic particles than the normal level were detected in the tissues of prostate cancer patients.
Microplastics are small plastic particles that form when plastic decomposes. Particles generated as marine debris decomposes enter the human body through marine products, drinking water, and air. It is also made during the manufacturing process of plastic items such as delivery containers and water bottles.
Its size is small, ranging from 1 µm (micrometer) to 5 mm, so it can penetrate the body in various ways. In particular, it is known to disrupt the endocrine system and increase the risk of developing hormone-related cancers such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, and thyroid cancer.
However, a research team from New York University recently announced on the 23rd (local time) that “microplastics not only have an indirect effect by disrupting hormones, but may also be directly involved in the development of tumors.”
The research team analyzed tissue samples collected from 10 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. As a result, plastic particles were directly identified in 90% of the tumor samples analyzed. An average of about 40 μg (microgram) of microplastics was detected in cancer tissue. This is about 2.5 times more than normal tissue (average 16 μg).
Vittorio Albergamo, a professor of pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine and senior author of the study, said, “Microplastic particles can cause an inflammatory response in cells, which can result in genetic changes such as cell damage and the formation of cancer cells. We will verify the effects of microplastics on more patients through follow-up research.”
The results of this study will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Symposium on the 26th.
