Using hair straighteners increases the risk of uterine cancer

A study conducted by the American Institute of Health showed that hair-straightening products, especially used by dark-skinned women, increase the risk of uterine cancer.

According to research, women who use these products more than four times a year see the risk of developing this type of cancer more than doubled.

Research on this topic was published in Journal of the National Cancer Institute It was praised by independent experts who invoked the “precautionary principle” to call for more legislation, although more studies are needed to deepen these findings.

Cervical cancer, different from cervical cancer, is a relatively rare form of the disease and accounts for about 3% of new cancer cases in the United States.with 66,000 cases and 12,500 deaths recorded in 2022.

However, the The incidence of this type of cancer is increasing in the country, especially among black women.

The study was based on data from nearly 33,500 women recruited between 2003 and 2009., who were followed for about 11 years. A total of 378 of these women developed uterine cancer.

For women who haven’t used hair-straightening products before, the risk of developing uterine cancer at age 70 is 1.64%, compared to 4.05% for frequent users, according to a statement from the study’s lead author, Alexandra White.

“Since black women use one’s products more frequently and tend to start at a younger age, these findings may be particularly interesting to them,” said Chi Jung-Chang, co-author of the research.

About 60% of the women who participated in the study who said they had used hair-straightening products reported being black.

What chemicals are considered carcinogens used in these products?

The researchers did not collect information about specific products or brands, but did note that several commonly used chemicals could contribute to an increased risk of cancer, such as parabens, BPA, minerals, or even formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde, popularly known as formaldehyde, which are usually used mainly in the so-called Brazilian individual, Its rates are limited in some countries because it is considered carcinogenic.

The researcher explained, “We know that these smoothing products contain many chemicals, including endocrine disruptors, and we can expect them to have an effect on hormone-related cancers. The concern is that these items contain chemicals that can act as estrogen in the body. Alexandra White, AFP.

Previous work by the same researcher had already linked hair straighteners to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Straightening products can enhance the absorption of chemicals through injuries or burns to the scalp or through straighteners whose heat breaks down the chemicals.