Investigating the link between chemical exposure and breast cancer risk.

Environmental Chemical Body Burden and Prospective Breast Cancer Risk in the Cancer Prevention Study-3 Cohort

NIH-funded research Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11083698

This study is looking at how certain chemicals found in everyday products might affect the risk of invasive breast cancer in women going through menopause, and it aims to understand how these chemicals could influence changes in the body that lead to cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBeckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Duarte, United States)
Project IDNIH-11083698 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research examines how exposure to certain synthetic chemicals, specifically per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), may influence the risk of developing invasive breast cancer in women during menopause. By analyzing plasma samples from participants in the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study-3, the study aims to identify any associations between chemical body burden and breast cancer incidence. The research will also explore potential biological mechanisms, such as changes in DNA methylation and the breast microenvironment, that may connect these chemical exposures to cancer development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women who are in the menopausal transition and have been exposed to PFAS.

Not a fit: Patients who are not in the menopausal transition or have not been exposed to PFAS may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for breast cancer linked to environmental chemical exposures.

How similar studies have performed: While there has been limited research on the relationship between PFAS and breast cancer, this study aims to fill a significant gap in understanding this potential link.

Where this research is happening

Duarte, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.