Another Reason to go Natural… Use of “Creamy Crack” & Hair Dyes linked to Breast Cancer in Black & White Women
By Jay P - September 05, 2017
Highlights
·
Black women who reported using dark hair dye had
a 51 percent increased risk of breast cancer with an increased association in
using darker dyes, 72% increase.
·
White women who reported using chemical relaxers
had a 74 percent increased risk of breast cancer,
·
88% of African American women report using
relaxers compared to 5% of Caucasian women
·
Relaxer use was also correlated with increased
ER+ breast cancer incidence.
The Real
Chemical relaxers are a major component to the African
American female beauty regimen but maybe they shouldn’t be. Harmful compounds
exist in these hair relaxers and dyes that can be absorbed directly through the
scalp thus altering mammary gland development while initiating breast cancer
in women. Also FYI The term “creamy
crack” is a colloquial phrase referencing hair relaxer treatments.
The Rundown
Ladies we have another very good reason to embrace the way
that God made you. Firstly, I would like to say I have no skin in this game and
this post is not the result of any personal preference for a particular
hairstyle. Now with that being said lets get to the grit.
A recent study published in the Journal of Carcinogenesis
looked at over 4,000+ African American (AA) and White women in the NY and NJ area and observed an
increased risk of developing breast cancer in Black women who used dark shades
of hair dye and white women who used chemical relaxers.
Historically the rates of cancer incidence are similar
between the two ethnic groups. However, AA women continue to have higher breast
cancer incidence at younger ages, with higher rates of breast cancer mortality.
The prevalence of hair relaxers and dye chcemicals in the AA community may be a contributing
factor.
This study provides proof that the harsh chemicals in hair relaxers
and dyes may pose a public health risk for consumers. Some studies have
suggested that the chemicals in these products may effect mammary gland
development as noted with an increase in ER+ breast cancers in AA women with
regular hair relaxer use.
Regular hair dye use
was defined as ‘having ever used permanent hair dye for at least 1 year at a
rate of ≥2 times per year’.
This study showed that:-
“~30% of AAs and 58% of Whites reported regular use of hair dyes; 88% of AAs and 5% of Whites reported regular use of relaxers; and 59% of AAs and 6% of Whites reported regular use of deep conditioners. Among controls who reported regular hair dye use, ~27% of AAs and 3% of Whites reported regular use of relaxers as well.”
“~30% of AAs and 58% of Whites reported regular use of hair dyes; 88% of AAs and 5% of Whites reported regular use of relaxers; and 59% of AAs and 6% of Whites reported regular use of deep conditioners. Among controls who reported regular hair dye use, ~27% of AAs and 3% of Whites reported regular use of relaxers as well.”
Dual use of relaxers and hair dyes, as well as home-kit
application of relaxers, was also associated with more than 2-fold increased
risk among Whites.
This was
one of the first studies to take a comprehensive look at hair relaxers and dyes
based upon ethnic designation. More studies are needed to validate this cause
and effect relationship. However the data does suggest that we need to be
educating our communities better, to highlight the risks associated with the
use of such products.
Reference:
Llanos et al. "Hair product use and breast cancer risk among African American and White women" Carcinogenesis 2017 https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/bgx060
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