Breast Cancer Risk in Black Women

There have been countless speculations when it comes to breast cancer and cosmetics. Deodorants, hair dyes, shampoos, perfumes… This list is literally endless and every woman uses at least something when it comes to beauty products.

The study I will talk about now didn’t indicate which hair products were used or any specific ingredients. Yet, it has definitely brought very important information everyone should know about.

 

The data could be especially important for women with a family history of breast cancer, but no firm conclusions have been established as to why permanent hair dyes affect black women more. Maybe it is because they have more melanin or different genetics?

It may be also connected with higher usage, specific ingredients, or the amount of dye absorbed by the hair. It’s also important to note that a direct link between cancer and dyes or straighteners has not been definitely established. Some chemicals that are regularly used in hair care products called parabens imitate estrogen and many breast cancer tumors contain an extensive number of estrogen receptors. A myriad of factors contributes to the development of breast cancer… Overall, everything that imitates estrogen may be harmful to some women who already have higher risks for breast cancer. I mean, just think about soya… It also imitates estrogen (and it is everywhere!).

Straighteners didn’t demonstrate any significant variations among different races or ethnic groups, but the products do contain formaldehyde that’s long been known to be a carcinogen. That’s especially troubling for dark skin women who may regularly relax or straighten their hair. As you can come up to a conclusion by yourself, using something on a daily basis will definitely bring at least some harm to your body, it doesn’t have to be breast cancer.

According to a new study released by the National Institute of Environmental Health Services, chemical straighteners and hair dyes that black women regularly use may be increasing their risk of breast cancer. The potential exists for all women, but it’s particularly alarming to dark skin women who tend to use the products more.

Multiple studies over the years have shown an increase in chronic healthcare concerns among salon workers that includes asthma. Now breast cancer has been added to the list of potential health risks for stylists and their clients.

Ladies that work in any type of beauty saloon are exposed to countless different chemicals each and every day. They don’t even need to touch those to have consequences, but breathing such toxic air (full of different perfumes) also leaves marks on the body.

Dark skin women who used dyes regularly and had a sister diagnosed with breast cancer exhibited a 30% increased risk of developing the disease at some point in their lifetime compared to Caucasian women. African-American women that used permanent hair dye every 5-8 weeks were 60 percent more likely to develop the disease. The study found no such correlation with temporary or semi-permanent dyes.

Be sure to know your family’s health history. It is of crucial value to inform yourself properly about that.

What else can you do? Check your breasts at home every month. Be sure that everything is fine. Check your breasts with ultrasound with your radiologist or gynecologist every year, or if you have a family history of breast cancer, twice per year.

Do you think that ladies nowadays aren’t properly informed about the danger of breast cancer?

Or do you believe that cosmetics play a huge role in this disease?