Research has shown that even extremely low concentrations of perfluorinated compounds (PFACs) can worsen thyroid cancer metastasis.

Perfluorinated compounds are a group of approximately 4,700 chemical substances.

 

A compound formed by carbon and fluorine, it is heat-resistant and prevents water or oil from seeping through, making it used in various consumer products such as frying pan coatings, fast food packaging, and waterproof clothing. These perfluorinated compounds can seep into consumer goods, soil, and groundwater, penetrating the human body.

 

The half-lives of the most representative perfluorinated compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, are known to be 3.8 to 5.4 years. If they continuously accumulate in the body, they are known to cause not only liver damage and hormonal disruption, which are immune system disorders, but also to potentially affect the fetus through the placenta.

The Safety Evaluation Research Institute research team conducted a study to investigate the effects of perfluorinated compounds on thyroid cancer. First, they developed organoids using thyroid cancer cell lines. Organoids are artificially created tissue-like structures cultivated from human-derived cells. The research team exposed the thyroid cancer organoids to 10μM (micromolar) of perfluorinated compounds, a non-cytotoxic level, for 21 days, and then observed the metastatic state of the cancer.

 

As a result, the biomarker indicating the potential for cancer metastasis, 'epithelial-mesenchymal transition,' was activated. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is the process by which epithelial cells transform into mesenchymal cells capable of metastasis. Additionally, an increase in the expression of Ki-67 protein, which is produced during cell division and proliferation, was observed.

 

Researcher Yuminhee stated, "This is the first study to elucidate the mechanism by which perfluorinated compounds affect thyroid cancer metastasis through organoids," and added, "It will contribute to establishing clear regulations and management systems for perfluorinated compounds."

 

Perfluorinated compounds have been linked to the potential to cause diseases such as thyroid cancer, kidney cancer, and testicular cancer, and some have been classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under the World Health Organization (WHO). As a result, countries around the world are currently implementing regulations.

 

Meanwhile, thyroid cancer is sometimes called turtle cancer because the cancer cells grow slowly. However, although rare, there are cases where thyroid cancer grows rapidly and metastasizes to lymph nodes and lungs.

This also lowers the survival rate. Especially in thyroid cancer, if there is lymph node metastasis, the 10-year survival rate is only about 45%. The problem is that there are no definitive predictors for thyroid cancer metastasis.

 

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My friend also had thyroid cancer.

I've never heard of 'Turtle Front' before.

 

According to my friend

They say stress is the biggest.

In my friend's case, after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer

I think I also resigned from the company right away.

 

I used to be a bank clerk, but I was under a lot of stress.

It's not that the profession is the problem, but...

 

Especially, cancer seems to be caused by stress.

 

 

When taking food to go, there are hardly any cases where you bring the bowl back.

The packaging material is also a problem.