Many chemical substances to which we are exposed can increase the risk of developing cancer, including some present in routinely used products, such as some cosmetics. Now, a new study from the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has found that some of these chemicals used in hair straightening products could double the chances of developing uterine cancer in women who use them regularly compared to those who do not use them.
The research, which has been published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, has revealed that the association with this type of female tumor was only found with this type of product, and not with others that women often use, such as hair dyes hair, bleaching or liquids to do the perm or highlights.
In the work that reached these conclusions, the health of 33,497 American women who were between 35 and 74 years old was analyzed. In it, cases of uterine cancer were compared with the frequency of use of this type of cosmetic hair product. In total, 378 cases of uterine cancer were diagnosed in all the participants during an 11-year follow-up period.
Number of annual uses of straighteners linked to an increased risk of uterine cancer
The results showed that women who used these types of products more than four times a year were up to twice as likely to develop uterine cancer, compared to those who did not use them. They also explain that 60% of the participants who declared using this type of straightener were black, so, although no differences were found based on race, there is a higher prevalence of this group, so the effects on they may be older.
“We estimate that 1.64% of women who never used hair straighteners or irons would develop uterine cancer at age 70; but for frequent users, that risk increased to 4.05%. This duplication rate is worrying. However, it is important to put this information in context: uterine cancer is a relatively rare type of cancer”, said Alexandra White, lead author of the research.
Chemical compounds such as bisphenol A or parabens in straightening products could be the ones that increase the risk of uterine cancer
Che-Jung Chang, a research fellow in the NIEHS epidemiology branch, notes that “because black women use hair straightening products more often and tend to start their use at younger ages than other races and ethnicities, these findings may be even more relevant to them.”
The findings are consistent with previous studies showing relaxers may increase the risk of hormone-related cancers in women. However, it must be remembered that this study is observational in nature, so it does not imply a cause-effect relationship and it cannot be stated that the products are the ones that directly cause uterine cancer, nor has it been analyzed which of the components of these products could be those that increase the risk.
However, the researchers warn that various chemicals found in straightening products, such as metals, bisphenol A, parabens or formaldehyde, could be the ones that are increasing the risk of uterine cancer. And it is that, hair products, especially those that help to straighten it, can be more easily absorbed by the scalp than other personal care products applied in another part of the body, because it can be exacerbated by burns and injuries. caused by straighteners.
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