Microplastics and Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, people under the age of 50 were the only group to experience an increase in cancer rates between 1995 and 2021. Young-onset colorectal cancer has risen 2–3% per year for the past several years while breast and lung cancer have also increased. We are currently seeing increased cases of colorectal cancer in patients in their 20s and 30s. A potential cause is the exposure to microplastics which come from a range of sources including food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, clothing, and industrial materials. Plastic production has increased dramatically over the past 70 years. Microplastics likely enter the body through our lungs, digestive tract, and skin. Microplastics have been found in most animal tissues and have been shown to cause:
- Chronic inflammation
- Immune suppression
- Alterations in cell growth and division
- DNA damage
- Disruption of the GI microbiome
- Direct toxic effects