Trust me, I understand. When you have been through cancer, every new health threat feels personal.
Here is the thing though. I am not going to add to your worry. As The Oncology Dietitian, my job is to give you the facts so you can make smart choices and then get back to actually living your life.
So let’s talk about what PFAS really are, what we actually know, and what you can do about it without driving yourself crazy.
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Before we dive in, I want you to have something that actually helps. The Clean Scan Plan is built on my NED Method 5-Pillar Approach covering nutrition, exercise, hydration, sleep, and self-care. It gives you a clear path forward.
What Are PFAS (Forever Chemicals)?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. I know, it is a mouthful. Basically, these are lab-made chemicals that have been around since the 1940s.
People call them “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment or in your body.
Why do they stick around so long? The bond between carbon and fluorine atoms in these chemicals is incredibly strong. That same durability is exactly why manufacturers have used them in products that need to resist water, oil, and stains for decades.
Scientists estimate there are over 12,000 different PFAS compounds out there. The two you will hear about most are PFOA and PFOS because those are the ones researchers have studied the longest.
Where Are PFAS Found?
For most people, especially those on a regulated public water system, PFAS in drinking water is not something you need to be actively worried about.
- Detection is Not Harm: Yes, research found that about 45% of US drinking water samples contain detectable PFAS. However, ‘detectable’ simply means modern labs can measure tiny amounts (parts per trillion). Presence does not equal harm. What truly matters is the total dose and duration of exposure. For the vast majority of public water systems, levels are well below thresholds associated with measurable health effects.
- Key Protection is Regulation: Public water systems are now required under the EPA’s 2024 PFAS rule to routinely test, report, and remediate when levels exceed enforceable limits. This is a mandatory, regulated process. By 2027, all consumers will have clear access to their local data.
- Highest Exposure Sources: The highest exposures documented in research come from occupational settings, communities adjacent to specific industrial contamination sites, or historical firefighting foam use—not from the average person drinking municipal tap water.
PFAS in Food & Packaging
This is not a concern for the general population. PFAS were previously used in some grease-resistant food packaging, but in 2024 the FDA confirmed these materials are no longer manufactured or sold for food use in the U.S. That exposure pathway has been phased out.
Outside of consuming fish from known contaminated areas, food is not a meaningful source of PFAS exposure.
PFAS in Household Items
Also not a concern. While PFAS can be present in some nonstick cookware, clothing, furniture, or cosmetics, exposure from consumer products is very low and not associated with adverse health effects in human studies. These products do not meaningfully influence cancer risk, recurrence, or long-term health.
How Does PFAS Exposure Happen?
Exposure can happen from many sources, including drinking water, eating certain foods, and even breathing in dust or air, particularly if you work in an industrial or firefighting environment.
Now, you might hear a statistic that sounds intimidating: research shows about 97% of Americans have detectable PFAS in their blood.
Before you worry, it’s important to understand the context. A detectable level does not automatically mean there will be health problems. The key factors that matter are the total dose and the duration of your exposure over time. Focus on what you can control!
What Are the Potential Health Effects of PFAS?
Research has linked certain PFAS exposure to effects on the immune system, thyroid function, cholesterol levels, and reproductive health.
Some studies show reduced vaccine response in people with higher PFAS blood levels. Developmental effects in children and hormonal changes have also been observed.
But here is the context that often gets lost in scary headlines. Most of this research comes from people with very high exposure levels, like those living right next to chemical plants or working directly with these substances for years.
That is a very different situation than what most of us experience.
What Does the Research Say About PFAS and Cancer?
Let me be straight with you about what we know. In November 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified PFOA as a Group 1 carcinogen, which means “carcinogenic to humans.” PFOS got a Group 2B classification, meaning “possibly carcinogenic.”
The strongest evidence links high PFOA exposure to kidney cancer and testicular cancer.
These findings come mainly from studies of workers at PFAS-producing chemical plants or communities with heavily contaminated drinking water.
As The Oncology Dietitian, here is how I think about this. The classification tells us these chemicals can cause cancer at high exposure levels.
It does not mean the low-level exposure most people have will definitely cause cancer. The risk depends heavily on how much you have been exposed to and for how long.
Take Control of Your Health Journey
I know information like this can feel heavy. That is exactly why I created The Clean Scan Plan. It helps you focus on what actually matters for reducing cancer risk, including nutrition, movement, sleep, hydration, and self-care.
What Are the EPA’s Drinking Water Standards for PFAS?
In April 2024, the EPA finalized the first national drinking water standards for PFAS. The maximum allowed level for PFOA and PFOS is 4 parts per trillion.
To put that in perspective, one part per trillion is like one drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools. We are talking about incredibly tiny amounts.
Public water systems have to monitor for these chemicals and reduce levels if they go over the limit. The deadline for compliance is 2029, possibly extending to 2031. If you have a private well, these rules do not apply to you, so testing is on you.
Practical Ways to Reduce PFAS Exposure
Look, you cannot eliminate every bit of PFAS exposure. But you can make some simple changes without turning your life upside down. The goal here is smart choices, not obsession.
Check and Filter Your Drinking Water
If you are on public water, call your utility and ask about their PFAS testing results. If you have a private well near an industrial site, airport, or military base, consider getting it tested.
Simple Food and Product Choices
Here are some easy swaps that can help:
- Store leftovers in glass containers when you can
- Check local fish advisories if you fish recreationally
- Look for PFAS-free cookware when you need to replace your pans
- Skip the “stain-resistant” treatment on new furniture or clothes if you have the choice
And please remember this. So many common foods are perfectly safe despite what fear-based content online wants you to believe.
A Cancer Dietitian’s Perspective on PFAS
I have worked with cancer survivors for over 15 years now, and here is what I know to be true. While PFAS is a real environmental issue, for most people, the risk from low-level exposure is very small.
What has a huge, day-to-day impact on your health and recurrence risk are the things you can actually control: your nutrition, movement, sleep, hydration, and self-care. The people who truly thrive focus their energy on these proven, positive lifestyle habits and let go of the rest.
If you are ready to stop guessing and get expert guidance tailored specifically to you, apply for VIP 1:1 Cancer Nutrition and Lifestyle Coaching with me today.
The Bottom Line
So should you be worried about PFAS? Here is my honest answer. No, you should not be worried.
You have been through enough. You deserve to feel confident and at peace with your choices, not constantly anxious about the next scary headline.
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Healing does not stop when treatment ends. The Clean Scan Plan helps you build lasting habits around food, hydration, movement, sleep, and stress that reduce recurrence risk and restore peace of mind.
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References
- https://www.epa.gov/pfas/our-current-understanding-human-health-and-environmental-risks-pfas
- https://www.epa.gov/pfas/meaningful-and-achievable-steps-you-can-take-reduce-your-risk
- https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/iarc-monographs-evaluate-the-carcinogenicity-of-perfluorooctanoic-acid-pfoa-and-perfluorooctanesulfonic-acid-pfos/
- https://dceg.cancer.gov/research/what-we-study/pfas
- https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pfc
- https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/prevent-exposure/index.html
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/chemicals/teflon-and-perfluorooctanoic-acid-pfoa.html
