Study Finds Potential Link Between Hair Straighteners, Uterine Cancer
A National Institute of Health study released in mid-October has revealed a troubling tie between the use of hair straighteners and the development of uterine cancer. The study, presented as part of a news release by NIH, not only draws a concerning connection between the use of chemical hair straightening products to uterine cancer, but also demonstrates a disproportionate harm is being suffered by minority groups who may be more prone to use of said products. While more attention and review will be necessary to better understand the connection between these products and these tragic medical emergencies, Stern Law is beginning to take the steps necessary to preserve the legal options of women who used these products and faced uterine cancer.
The NIH study, specifically focused on the rates of uterine cancer in women over the span of more than a decade, also took into account the use of other hair products, including dyes, bleach, highlights and perm goods. It was only with chemical hair straightening products that researchers could draw a line between its use and uterine cancer occurrences. The increased rate of developing uterine cancer while using hair straightening products is cause for concern in of itself; where 1.64% of women who never used hair straightening products were estimated to develop uterine cancer by age 70, this percentage went up to as high as 4.05% for those who did use the products.
As the most common cancer type of the female reproductive system, any increase in the development of uterine cancer in the population is a tragedy. The report also comes after previous studies have shown straighteners to be tied to an increased risk of hormone-related cancers in women. That there could be information demonstrating a willful ignorance or worse on behalf of manufacturers is downright disturbing. It should be noted that the study did not find direct connections between specific manufacturers or their products with the uterine cancer but, rather, the general use of straightening and relaxer products at a rate of four or more times per year.
You can read more about the study here.
Hair straightener products are a key part of everyday life for women nationwide. These beauty products can be found in the bathrooms of thousands, even millions, of homes across the country. That a product so heavily based in the lives and beauty stylings of so many could be tied to such a devastating condition as uterine cancer is both tragic and alarming. That these products are more heavily used by members of minority communities, including Hispanic and African American women, demonstrates a very real cause for concern on what was known by manufacturers and when.
It is unfortunate but true that some companies have ignored very real causes of concern for how their products can impact the health of consumers. At times, these decisions have disproportionately impacted minority communities. While the NIH study reviewing connections between hair straightening produces and uterine cancer does show patterns that go beyond race, our firm still remains concerned about the disproportionate way this issue is facing minority communities. Regardless of a client’s race, however, our firm will work to defend their legal rights and explore all potential recourses available should it be proven that manufacturers of hair straightening products/chemicals knowingly sold these items and failed to notify the public of concerns.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with uterine cancer and regularly used chemical products associated with hair straightening, please contact Stern Law, PLLC, today. Doing so can not only help in ensuring legal rights are preserved, but also could result in critical compensation and fact-finding that may save the lives of others.
