What Does the Link Between Hair Relaxers & Uterine Cancer Mean for Black Women?

It seems like everything we eat or touch these days can cause cancer. Toxic chemicals show up on our fruit, in our makeup, in cleaning supplies. The latest news about hair relaxers causing cancer stands out, however. The research doesn’t just show a vague relationship. It suggests a direct cause and effect.

The recent study by the National Institutes of Health links a commonly used hair product and cancer. Researchers found women who use chemical hair relaxers more than 4 times a year are 2 times more likely to get uterine cancer than those who don’t.

“The Sister Study is a large, U.S.-based study of about 34,000 women ages 35-74. They were followed for about 10 years,” says gynecologic oncologist Paola Gehrig, MD. Compared to women who didn't use hair-straightening chemicals, women who did use them got uterine cancer more frequently. The difference in the risk went from around 1.6% to over 4%.

“We have to be careful and put this study into context. Uterine cancer is still quite uncommon,” adds Gehrig. “But women need to be aware of this association. And Black women, in particular, need to be aware of this association.”

What You Need to Know: Significant Risks for Black Women

Black women aren’t the only ones who use hair straighteners or relaxers or other chemical hair products. But around 60% of women in the study who used hair relaxers were Black. In addition to using the products more overall, Gehrig pointed out that Black women:

• Use hair relaxers more often
• Begin using them at a younger age, so have a longer exposure
• Are twice as likely to die from uterine cancer as white women