Introduction
The risk of uterine cancer has become a common issue for women in the USA. Among several factors, using hair relaxers can be one of the major reasons behind this health issue. Based on some studies, a potential link between hair relaxer and uterine cancer can be assumed. In this blog article, we will try to understand the possibilities of uterine cancer due to the hair relaxer products containing harmful chemicals. How the hair straightening products can affect our health has been included here with the recommendation of some safer alternatives.
Is there a Link between hair relaxer and uterine cancer ?
According to the report of a 2022 study, it has been revealed that frequently going through the process of chemical hair straightening can increase the chances of uterine cancer among women.
The study was conducted by observing 33497 women for 11 years. The study has revealed that the risk of uterine cancer is two times more for women who have used hair straightening products more than four times a year.
This study also found that black women can suffer from uterine cancer as they tend to use hair straightening as well as hair relaxer products more frequently. Those women start to have hair straightening at a younger age. As per the study the 1.64% of the women who did not have hair straightening developed uterine cancer at the age of around 70. On the other hand, the women who have used hair straighteners frequently have an increased risk of cancer of 4.05%.
A possible connection between hair relaxer and uterine cancer is evident in those cases, but more studies are needed to determine the reason behind the uterine cancer.
Which Chemicals are in Hair Straightening Products that increase the risk of Uterine Cancer?
Hair relaxer, straightener products emit gases or fumes such as formaldehyde after heating, which may lead to the risk of cancer. Chemicals like:
- Phthalates
- Cyclosiloxanes
- Paraben
- Bosphenol A
The hair straightening products contain some harmful chemicals that can act as carcinogens that can cause cancer. The use of heated hair straightening tools combined with hair straightening products may lead to uterine cancer as it causes lesions and burns the scalp. Formaldehyde is considered carcinogenic, and when it is applied to hair, it absorbs through the scalp and enters the body. After entering the body, it alters the estrogen-dependent pathways. This process regulates the amount of estrogen in the body that causes endometrial tumors.
The harsh chemicals present in hair relaxers are parabens and phthalates. As per the findings in several studies by Boston University and the NIH (National Institute of Health), a concerning link between hair relaxer and uterine cancer has been revealed. Using the hair relaxer and straighteners at a higher frequency increases the possibility of cancer. Women suffering from uterine cancer have a higher concentration of parabens in their endometrial tissue, and phthalates in their urine can be detected.
Why is hair relaxer linked to hormone-related cancer?
Hair relaxers can be responsible for uterine cancer due to the presence of harmful chemicals. Several studies aim to determine the link between hair relaxers and cancer, especially cancer related to hormones. Hormonal cancer, such as Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer — especially uterine cancer.
The chemicals in hair relaxers act like estrogen. This factor causes your body to perceive that there is a higher rate of estrogen than the actual amount. Different types of endometrial cancer cause estrogen to grow in the body. The survival rate of black women in five years is 62% compared to the 84% of white women in the USA.
Uterine cancer prevalence
The rate of uterine cancer has increased between 1990 and 2019 all over the world. A strong connection between hair relaxer and uterine cancer can be assumed by considering the following cases.
According to the National Institute of Health, 65950 incidents occurred in 2022.
As per the study of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) 54,744 cases of uterine cancer have been recorded in the USA in 2020.
The report of a study by Boston University shows that up to 95% of the adult black women use hair relaxers in the US. Women who have hair straightening for five years or twice a year increase the risk of uterine cancer by 50%.
A renowned radiation oncologist in NewYork, Dr. Onyinye D. Balogun, stated that ” The straighteners have already been implicated in breast cancer and ovarian cancer – and now in uterine cancer.
What are the safer alternatives to hair relaxers?
Flat ironing can be a safer alternative to hair straightening. After blow-drying the hair, flat-ironing is effective to change the texture of the hair.
In recent days it can be found that many individuals prefer to have the natural texture of hair. But still, not so many people are conscious about the potential harm caused by the hair straighteners. Discontinuing the use of hair straighteners can mitigate the risk of health issues.
If you are suffering from health issues caused by using harmful hair relaxers then you can contact us, Legal Claim Counsel Group. We are a renowned law firm handling Hair Relaxer Lawsuits for victims suffering from health issues caused by certain products. Our team of expert and experienced legal advisors always stand by you through the entire procedure of mass tort claim to guide you to get a secure justice and rightful compensation by collaborating with several renowned law firms. Our personalised legal support will help you at every step of your journey.
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Conclusion
According to several studies, the risk of uterine cancer can be increased for women who have hair straightening regularly. The harmful chemicals that have been used in hair straightening products affect the scalp as well as the body and lead to hormone-related cancer. The prevailing awareness among women is the main purpose of those studies. Consulting with a doctor for early detection of such risk factors is necessary to mitigate the risk of such health issues. Discontinuing the use of hair straighteners as well as relaxers can be one of the best ways to reduce the potential risk and also to stay safe.
