What to Do If You’re Concerned About Chemical Hair Straighteners and Cancer

If you’re one of the many people who began to rethink your stance on chemical hair straighteners after news of Jenny Mitchell’s recent hair straightener uterine cancer lawsuit started getting around, you’re not alone.

There have been theories floating around for years about the potential connection between chemical hair straighteners and cancer. However, a new study published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute has found a definitive link between the two, leading to fresh concerns about the long-term effects of chemical relaxer products on a person’s long-term health.

The study was a large one, following 33,000 women of various races for more than a decade. And the findings concluded that women who used chemical relaxers frequently – roughly four times a year or more – were over twice as likely to develop certain hormone-driven cancers. (Examples include endometrial and uterine cancer.)

The effects of exposure to hormone-disruptive compounds in chemical hair straighteners are cumulative in nature, so the more often you use the products, the higher your risk. Risk also goes up with prolonged usage, so it matters whether chemical straighteners are a staple of your beauty routine or just something you use on occasion.

That said, women of African-American descent are likely the most at risk for developing these cancers as a result of their personal haircare routines. They’re the most likely to be heavy relaxer users and from a relatively young age due to factors like cultural norms, pressure to maintain hairstyles as a way to conform in the workplace, and so forth.

Of course, it’s worth stating that as cancers go, endometrial cancer (like Jenny’s Mitchell’s) is relatively rare in comparison to other cancers, so even a doubled risk isn’t necessarily a death sentence. But as any cancer risk is really too high to ignore, it’s still important to consider your next steps.

Weigh the benefits against the risk

Many women – especially African-American women who have relied on chemical straighteners for most of their lives – are now rethinking these products, and with good reason. Naturally, the safest route would be to quit using chemical straightening agents altogether. Consider embracing your natural hair texture instead or turning to an alternative, like a heat-powered straightening iron.

However, women who deal with intense social pressure to have their hair look smooth on a level only a chemical relaxer can achieve may not wish to do this. So, weigh the benefits against the risks, consider whether the potential social or professional perks make the risk worthwhile, and proceed with caution.

Keep up with recommended health checkups

Health checkups and recommended cancer screenings should be an important part of any woman’s routine, especially as she gets older. But if you habitually use carcinogenic products like chemical relaxers (or have in the past), it’s even more important.

So don’t skip your annual health checkups, and have yourself screened for various cancers as recommended by your doctor. You should also be aware of the symptoms of endometrial cancer and speak to your doctor immediately if you have concerns.

Should you consider legal action?

Of course, if you’re a regular user of chemical straighteners or similar products and have already been diagnosed with hormone-based cancers like the ones discussed above, you may have wondered if you’re entitled to compensation, just as Jenny Mitchell did.

If that’s the case, get in touch with a qualified attorney who can go over the details of your potential case with you and give you their professional advice on the matter. If it is found that your condition is connected to your relationship with chemical hair straighteners, you could definitely have a case worth pursuing.

Image Source: Freepik