Using a chemical relaxer to keep your hair smooth, straight, and manageable seems innocent enough. Many women with very naturally curly hair – especially women of African-American descent – are even raised to accept chemical straighteners as an essential part of good grooming from the time they’re little girls.
But the sheer harshness of these chemicals has raised concern over potential health issues for years. And now, new findings have definitively linked the habitual use of chemical hair straightening agents to various hormone-based cancers. But how serious is the risk, and what can you do if you’re concerned?
How Much Higher Is the Risk?
It’s a given that many chemical hair products like hair dye and chemical relaxing agents contain hormonally active compounds that aren’t great for a woman’s system. However, chemical straighteners, in particular, are now associated with a much sharper uptick in the frequency of hormone-based cancers in women.
In fact, women who frequently use chemical hair straighteners are – according to a recent study – more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer at some point during their lifetimes. Similar connections have been made regarding ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and similar conditions.
Naturally, the risk will be the highest for African-American women, as they are more likely to use straightening agents habitually. They are also much more likely to start using the products at young ages, and carcinogens do have a cumulative effect. The greater the exposure and the longer it goes on, the higher the risk.
How Do Relaxers Cause Cancer?
Although experts are still working to pin down the details of how exactly chemical relaxers cause hormonal cancers in women, they do know it has to do with excess estrogen exposure.
Most uterine cancers start with abnormalities of the endometrium, the estrogen-stimulated lining of the uterus. Anything that throws off the delicate balance of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, etc. – especially concerning the increase of estrogen – can carry an increased risk for endometrial cancer.
Chemical relaxers contribute to this effect by introducing multiple chemicals that also happen to be known endocrine disruptors into the mix. Some of these chemicals – like formaldehyde, to name just one – can create fumes easily absorbed through the lungs, eyes, etc. There is also evidence that these chemicals can enter a person’s system through the scalp.
Are Victims Seeking Legal Compensation?
In light of these recent findings, victims who feel cancers they’ve developed are linked to their use of chemical hair straighteners are looking into legal compensation. In fact, there’s already been an official hair straightener endometrical cancer lawsuit filed.
Jenny Mitchell, a Missouri woman in her early 30s, filed her lawsuit just days after proof of the cancer-relaxer connection was released to the public. Diagnosed with uterine cancer at the young age of 28, Mitchell believes that her use of chemical straighteners since the age of 10 caused her condition. (She ultimately wound up having to have a hysterectomy.)
She is currently suing five companies (whose products she used) for monetary damages, future compensation for necessary medical monitoring, and more. And it’s highly likely that there will be plenty of similar lawsuits in the near future.
What Should You Do Next?
If you occasionally or heavily use chemical straighteners, try not to freak out. Yes, such products can double a person’s risk of developing uterine cancer. However, uterine cancer is still relatively rare overall, especially in comparison to other cancers.
But it’s still advisable to discontinue use of the products and settle on an alternative way to manage your hair – like switching to a straightening iron or even simply learning to love your hair as it is, curls and all. And, of course, have yourself regularly screened for uterine cancer and similar conditions.
If you do test positive for cancer (or have in the past), you may also wish to speak to an attorney about possible legal action.