Have you or your loved one developed uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, uterine fibroids requiring inpatient surgery, or uterine sarcoma from using hair relaxers and straighteners? You may qualify for compensation through a product liability claim.
Uterine cancer, a commonly known cancer of the female reproductive system, incidence rates have reportedly been rising in the United States. The National Institute of Health found a connection between using relaxers and uterine cancer through research known as the Sister Study. This study followed 33,000 women for nearly 11 years, during which 378 cases of uterine cancer were diagnosed. According to the research, the risk of uterine cancer doubled among women who used hair straightening products more than four times in the previous year than those who did not use the products.
How Do Hair Straightening Products Cause Uterine Cancer?
Hair relaxers and straighteners are primarily used by African American women to make their hair more manageable. These products are directly applied to hair to destroy its protein structure, flattening it.
Unfortunately, hair straighteners and relaxer products contain high levels of synthetic chemicals with endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic properties, such as Formaldehyde, Parabens, Phthalates, Bisphenol A, and metals. These chemicals may be absorbed into the body through the skin and scalp. For instance, having your hair blow-dried after relaxing treatment increases the absorption risk of the chemicals through your scalp, especially if you have lesions or burns. This could interfere with the normal production and distribution of estrogen and other hormones, affecting the regular activity of the organs in the endocrine system.
What Makes You High Risk for Uterine Cancer?
Aside from hair straightening and relaxing products, various factors may influence a woman’s chance of developing uterine cancer. However, having a higher risk does not necessarily mean you will get the disease. Understanding the risk factors allows you to make informed decisions about your lifestyle and health choices to minimize risk. They include:
- Age. Chance of getting uterine cancer increases as you age, mostly 50 years and above.
- Obesity. About 70% of uterine cancer cases are linked to obesity. Fatty tissues produce additional estrogen, which increases the risk for overweight women.
- Genetics. A family history of cancer and Lynch syndrome increases the risk of developing uterine cancer.
- Diabetes. Women with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of uterine cancer, probably due to obesity.
Hormonal imbalance
Anything that may affect estrogen and progesterone balance increases a woman’s risk of uterine cancer. Those at risk include women who started menstrual periods before 12 years, those who never have been pregnant, and women taking hormone replacement therapy after menopause.
Diet and sedentary lifestyle
Experts think that a high-fat diet may affect how the body uses estrogen and leads to obesity, which is a known uterine cancer risk. Also, physical inactivity increases a woman’s chance of getting uterine cancer and other diseases.
Who is the Most Affected by Uterine Cancer?
Although anyone can get uterine cancer, the sister study showed a higher rate of uterine cancer among Black women. The effects were greater among black women probably because they tend to use hair straightening and relaxing products more frequently and from earlier ages than other ethnicities and races.
How do I make a Hair Straightener Cancer Claim?
Uterine cancer can cause pain and financial strain due to incurring medical expenses. If you or someone you love have developed uterine cancer due to the use of hair relaxing and straightening products, you have a right to file a claim and pursue compensation from the liable party. Personal injury attorneys can fight and negotiate for the fair compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and more. Contact our office today and schedule a free evaluation of your hair relaxer products and uterine cancer case.
Jeffrey Nadrich
Jeffrey Nadrich is a nationally-recognized California plaintiff’s personal injury attorney. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley and UC Hastings College of the Law. He has successfully represented thousands of injury clients over the last 40 years.
