Microplastics and Cancer: Health Risks Explained

Microplastics Found in Cancer Tumors: What Researchers Are Now Discovering

In recent years, microplastics have quietly become one of the most concerning environmental exposures of our time.

Now, emerging research is raising even deeper questions.

A 2025 study published in Environmental Pollution found that microplastics were present at significantly higher concentrations in prostate cancer tumors compared to nearby noncancerous tissue.

Another study examining breast cancer patients found that microplastics accumulated in tumor tissue and may influence cellular processes like mitophagy—a mechanism linked to how cells regulate damage and survival.

While research is still evolving, one thing is clear:

Microplastics are not just in our environment anymore. They are in the human body.

What Are Microplastics?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles—often smaller than 5mm—that come from:

• Breakdown of larger plastic products

• Synthetic fabrics

• Food packaging

• Personal care products

• Bottled water

• Airborne environmental exposure

They are now found in:

• Drinking water

• Food (including seafood, salt, and produce)

• Air we breathe

• Human blood, lungs… and now, tumor tissue

This isn’t about fear—it’s about awareness.

Why This Matters More Today Than Ever

Microplastic exposure isn’t new—but the level of exposure today is and microplastics in the human body is increasing. 

Plastic production has increased dramatically over the past few decades, and as these materials break down, they create microscopic particles that persist in the environment and the human body.

At the same time, modern lifestyles have increased our daily exposure through:

• Packaged foods

• Bottled beverages

• Synthetic materials

• Indoor air environments

This combination of higher exposure + continuous accumulation is why researchers are now beginning to detect microplastics in human tissue.

While science is still uncovering the long-term implications, this shift highlights the importance of reducing unnecessary exposure wherever possible.

How Microplastics May Affect the Body

They aren’t just inert particles. 

They often carry or release endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as:

• Bisphenol-A (BPA) — commonly found in plastics labeled PC #7

• Phthalates — found in flexible plastics like PVC (#3) and fragrances

These compounds can:

• Mimic hormones

• Disrupt the endocrine system

• Interfere with reproductive health

• Impact metabolic function

As research suggests, even low-dose, long-term exposure may have biological effects—especially during sensitive life stages like pregnancy and childhood.

What the Research Is Showing 

The presence of microplastics in the human body is no longer theoretical—it is now being documented across multiple biological systems.

A growing body of research has detected microplastics in:

• Human blood

• Lung tissue

• Placenta

• Breast tissue

• And more recently, cancerous tumors

A 2025 study published in Environmental Pollution reported that microplastics were found at significantly higher concentrations in prostate cancer tissue compared to adjacent noncancerous tissue. While this does not prove causation, it raises important questions about accumulation and biological interaction.

In breast cancer research, microplastics have also been shown to interact with cellular pathways. One study identified that microplastics may influence mitophagy (the process by which cells remove damaged mitochondria) through mechanisms involving:

• ANXA2-mediated endocytosis

• IL-17 signaling pathways

These pathways are associated with inflammation and immune response, which are both areas of interest in cancer biology.

Additional studies have explored how microplastics may contribute to oxidative stress, a key driver of cellular aging and tissue damage. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and the body’s ability to neutralize them with antioxidants. Oxidative stress plays a major role in skin aging and cellular damage (learn more about how blue light contributes to this here.

This is particularly relevant because many plastics are not inert—they can:

• Carry environmental toxins

• Adsorb heavy metals

• Release endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA and phthalates

Some laboratory studies suggest that microplastics may:

• Trigger inflammatory responses

• Disrupt cellular signaling

• Interfere with hormone regulation

It is important to emphasize that research is still evolving. However, the consistency of findings across multiple systems suggests that microplastic exposure is a growing area of concern in human health.

Why This Became Personal for Me

When I helped my Mom heal from stage four cancer, everything changed.

I started looking deeper—not just at skincare, but at everything we’re exposed to daily.

Plastic was everywhere.

And once you see it… you can’t unsee it.

So I made a decision:

To reduce exposure wherever possible.
To prioritize clean, organic ingredients.
To choose materials that align with health—not convenience.

Why Luxe Beauty Chose Glass (Even When It’s Harder)

From the very beginning of Luxe Beauty, I made the complex and expensive decision to package our formulas in custom glass bottles.

Glass cost a lot more to ship and product production is much more difficult and time consuming that using plastic bottles!

But because it aligned with our values and I want the best for my customers and myself.

Many Reasons to Love Glass

• Made from natural raw materials

• 100% recyclable with no loss in purity

• Does not leach endocrine-disrupting chemicals

• Preserves ingredient integrity

Would a full glass pump system be ideal?

Yes.

But the reality is:

• Glass pumps are significantly more expensive

• They increase product cost dramatically

• And many customers aren’t ready for that price shift

So we balance function + integrity.

Pumps help:

• Reduce contamination from hands

• Limit oxygen exposure

• Preserve formula stability

Every decision is intentional.

A Note on “Greenwashing”: Not All Alternatives Are Better

As awareness grows, so do marketing claims.

One trend I’m seeing is a shift toward aluminum packaging.

But here’s the truth:

• Aluminum is a known neurotoxin

• It has been studied in relation to neurological health and breast tissue accumulation

• It serves no biological function in the human body

This is where greenwashing comes in—when brands market something as “eco-friendly” or “safe” without full transparency.

At Luxe Beauty, we believe:

Informed choices > trendy swaps

How to Reduce Microplastic Exposure (Simple Daily Steps)

It’s impossible to avoid all plastic.

But small, intentional changes can significantly reduce your exposure over time.

1. Switch to Glass Food Storage

Store leftovers in glass containers instead of plastic.

Bonus: You can actually see your food.

2. Carry a Glass Water Bottle

Avoid bottled water when possible.

I personally don’t leave the house without my glass-bottled spring water.

3. Avoid Heating Food in Plastic

Heat accelerates chemical leaching.

Never microwave food in plastic containers.

4. Ditch Plastic Wrap

Instead of saran wrap:

• Use glass containers with lids

• Or beeswax wraps

Convenience is never worth compromising your health.

5. Choose Clean Dental Floss

Most floss is petroleum-based.

Look for options coated in:

• Beeswax

• Plant waxes

6. Skip Plastic-Lined Coffee Cups

Many takeaway cups are lined with plastic.

Bring your own:

• Glass

• Stainless steel

7. Avoid Receipts

Thermal paper receipts often contain BPA.

Say no—or wash your hands after handling.

8. Filter Your Water

High-quality water filters can help reduce microplastic exposure.

9. Be Mindful of Synthetic Fabrics

Polyester and nylon shed microplastics.

Opt for natural fibers when possible.

10. Choose Skincare Packaged In Glass

What you put on your body matters too.

Packaging can influence exposure.

Progress Over Perfection

If this feels overwhelming—that’s okay.

You don’t have to change everything overnight.

Start small.

Swap one thing.

Then another.

Because over time, those small decisions become a lifestyle.

Final Thought: Health Over Convenience

We live in a world flooded with plastic.

Avoiding it completely isn’t realistic.

But choosing better—when we can—is powerful.

At Luxe Beauty, every decision comes back to one question:

Does this support the body… or work against it?

Because true beauty isn’t just what you see on the surface.

It’s what you protect beneath it.

Supporting Peer-Reviewed Scientific References

Tian Z, Ding B, Guo Y, Zhou J, Jiang S, Lu J, Li N, Zhou X, Zhang W.
Microplastics accumulated in breast cancer patients lead to mitophagy via ANXA2-mediated endocytosis and IL-17 signaling pathway.
Environmental Pollution. 2025;364(Pt 2):125321.

Leslie HA, van Velzen MJM, Brandsma SH, Vethaak AD, Garcia-Vallejo JJ, Lamoree MH.
Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood.
Environment International. 2022;163:107199.

Ragusa A, Svelato A, Santacroce C, Catalano P, Notarstefano V, Carnevali O, Papa F, Rongioletti MCA, Baiocco F, Draghi S, D'Amore E, Rinaldo D, Matta M, Giorgini E.
Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta.
Environment International. 2021;146:106274.

Amato-Lourenço LF, dos Santos Galvão L, de Weger LA, Hiemstra PS, Vijver MG, Mauad T.
Presence of airborne microplastics in human lung tissue.
Science of the Total Environment. 2021;778:146370.

Microplastics detected in prostate cancer tissue at higher concentrations than noncancerous tissue.
Environmental Pollution. 2025;364(Pt 2):125321.