As Cancer Rates Increase, Scientists Examine What We Eat

For decades, scientists have warned that potentially harmful chemicals are being found in the foods and drinks that we consume. However, a recent study has expanded the warning by highlighting nearly 200 chemicals that have been connected to breast cancer and are commonly found in food packaging and plastic tableware. The study, published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Toxicology, found that dozens of the carcinogens, chemicals capable of causing cancer, can leech into foods and enter the human body.

Many of the chemicals have already been classified as hazardous by health agencies around the world. However, the dangerous chemicals are still allowed to be used in materials that contact food. Worryingly, the study found that the chemicals can move from the packaging into the food itself. Now, researchers are looking for a connection between these chemicals and an increase in the rates of various cancers.

Increasing Cancer Rates

For decades, health officials have been tracking the rates of cancer in populations around the world. For some types of cancer, including lung and stomach, the annual rate of new cancers has been decreasing. However, other cancers, including breast and colorectal cancers are on the rise, particularly in younger patients. Currently, doctors are unable to pinpoint a cause for these increases. Instead many believe that it is likely due to a combination of factors such as obesity, alcohol, lack of exercise, and the environment. This new study seems to point to carcinogenic chemicals in food packaging as another potential angle worth studying.

It’s important to remember that food packaging serves an important role in keeping what we eat safe for consumption. However, it’s possible that there are ways to make the packaging more safe. Below are some recommendations to help reduce the risk of toxic chemicals:

• Avoid burning or overly charring foods, which can produce DNA-damaging chemicals. Also, use proper ventilation when cooking to avoid breathing in smoke.
• Many of the chemicals are fat-soluble, meaning that they collect in the fats of meat. To reduce your exposure you can remove the skin and fat from meats and drain any excess fats before eating.
• Ensure that any canned foods you consume do not use BPA in the plastic can lining. This also holds for any plastic plates, cups, and silverware.

Dig deeper into this study by examining the original journal article here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/toxicology/articles/10.3389/ftox.2024.1440331/full

To explore cancer in your classroom, check out the extensive collection of Edvotek cancer experiments. Our Morphology of Cancer Cells experiment allows students to examine the change in cell shape and structure compared to normal cells. With the In Search Of The Cancer Gene kit students will examine how mutations in the p53 gene are correlated to a predisposition for certain cancers. Our Blood-based Cancer Diagnostics experiment examines how medical professionals use antibody screens to detect cancer early and prioritize therapeutic strategies. Finally, in Blinded by the Light: UV Rays and DNA Damage students learn how UV light can damage DNA, leading to mutations within the DNA sequence.