A recent study has unveiled a concerning association between the long-term use of chemical hair relaxers and an increased risk of uterine cancer among postmenopausal Black women.
This study, published in the journal Environmental Research, points to the potential dangers of these commonly used hair products.
Chemical hair relaxers, often marketed to and used by Black women to straighten curly or tightly coiled hair, contain various chemicals, including endocrine disruptors.
These substances can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled and have been linked to several reproductive health issues in women.
The study, led by Kimberly Bertrand, an associate professor of medicine at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, sheds light on the racial disparities in uterine cancer.
Bertrand notes that compared to non-Hispanic white women, Black women face higher rates of aggressive uterine cancer subtypes and are nearly twice as likely to die from the disease.
Researchers involved nearly 45,000 women from the Black Women’s Health Study (BWHS), all without a prior history of cancer and with an intact uterus.
These women were asked about their past use of chemical hair relaxers, and their health was monitored for up to 22 years.
The study found that postmenopausal Black women who used hair relaxers more than twice a year or for more than five years had a greater than 50% increased risk of uterine cancer compared to those who never or rarely used these products. This association remained significant even after accounting for other potential risk factors.
The findings underscore the urgency for further research into the adverse health effects of chemical hair relaxers and their ingredients.
Bertrand, who is also an epidemiologist at Boston University, emphasizes the importance of this study in filling a crucial gap. She points out that Black women are often underrepresented in health research and may have unique exposures that contribute to disease disparities.
The research team hopes these findings will increase awareness of the potential toxic effects of hair relaxers and spur efforts to reduce exposure.
The study advocates for safer hair straightening alternatives, stricter regulation of cosmetic products, and policies to combat discrimination against natural hair, like the CROWN Act. Such measures could be vital in reducing racial disparities in uterine cancer and promoting overall health equity.
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The research findings can be found in the journal Environmental Research.
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