Breakthrough Study Identifies Link Between Testicular Cancer and 'Forever Chemicals' in Military Personnel

A new study has identified for the first time a direct link between testicular cancer and so-called “forever chemicals” found in common fire retardants used among military personnel and firefighters.

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences studied banked blood from members of the Air Force. They discovered that members of the military who also worked as firefighters had elevated amounts of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their blood.

Airmen who suffered from testicular cancer had higher levels of PFOS, another PFAS chemical, in their samples. Both PFAS and PFOS are found in common fire retardants, such as the foam in extinguishers. They're also used in common household items like nonstick cookware.

Previous studies have shown that both military and civilian firefighters are diagnosed with testicular cancer at a much higher rate than people in other fields. However, this is the first time a link between PFAS and testicular cancer among members of the military has been identified.

“To my knowledge,” Mark Purdue, co-author of the study, told USA Today, via California Healthline, “this is the first study to measure PFAS levels in the U.S. military population and to investigate associations with a cancer endpoint in this population, so that brings new evidence to the table.”

Forever chemicals accumulate in your body over time, and never break down in the environment. Most humans have PFAS in their blood from exposure through food, soil, and water. A new study indicated that nearly half of the tap water in America contains forever chemicals.

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer amongst young men. It’s also the most commonly diagnosed cancer among active military personnel, a demographic that is typically comprised of males, ages 18–40, who are in peak physical condition.