A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has discovered an increased risk of uterine cancer among people that use hair straightening chemicals or relaxers. Frequent users of chemical relaxers were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer compared to the general population who did not use hair relaxers. The study defined a frequent user as one who treated their hair with chemical straighteners or relaxers at least four times a year. Black women have a much greater risk of developing endometrial cancer, the most common form of uterine cancer.
Medical researchers were puzzled for decades why uterine cancer rates were so disproportionately high among black women. It turns out black women are not predisposed to uterine cancer or ovarian cancer. The recent study did not reflect that a relationship between uterine cancer incidence and hair relaxer use was different by race. Rather, black women are disproportionately impacted due to the prevalence of using chemical hair straightening products. There is currently a multidistrict litigation that aims to consolidate the hair straightener lawsuit claims of those who have been affected by this increased cancer risk.
Uterine Cancer — Hair Straighteners Could Increase the Risk
The endocrine-disrupting chemicals in hair straightening or hair relaxer products are now believed to be a likely cause as a result of the above-referenced study published by the National Cancer Institute. At a very minimum, these chemicals have been shown to cause adverse health effects.
Chemical hair straightening products are used primarily to help style curly or wavy hair by breaking down its structure. They are often used repeatedly to maintain the effect, which is now believed to put many users at risk for uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine fibroids resulting in treatment via hysterectomy. Most specifically, the risk of developing uterine cancer has now been firmly linked to hair straightener use. If you have been diagnosed with uterine cancer, please reach out to us right away at 833-552-7274.
First Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Filed
Over the past month, a vast number of plaintiffs have filed claims and joined the ongoing hair relaxer lawsuit. Following a diagnosis of uterine cancer in 2018, Jenny Mitchell filed the first hair straightening lawsuit in the United States Federal Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Mitchell's lawsuit alleges that exposure to phthalates and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals in hair relaxers she used led to her developing endometrial cancer at age 28. In turn, she underwent a full hysterectomy before her 3oth birthday rendering her permanently infertile. Thus, her lawsuit blames hair straighteners for causing uterine cancer. While this may have been the first chemical hair straightening lawsuit to be filed, a slew of others was not far behind.
Chemical Hair Straightener Uterine Cancer Lawsuit
Hair products, like other cosmetics and household products, should, in a perfect world, meet rigorous safety standards. Consumers should expect their personal care products to be safe for use and present a danger to no one's health. However, the FDA does not regulate the cosmetics industry. The presence of cancer-causing (carcinogenic) chemicals such as these can be grounds for filing a chemical hair straightener lawsuit to seek compensation for damages you suffered as a result of negligence.
We believe hair straightener manufacturers such as L'Oreal were negligent in using phthalates an endocrine disrupting chemical that has been causally related to cancers of the female reproductive system. Phthalates have been linked to uterine cancer and ovarian cancer. We suspect they potentially play a large role in the proliferation of uterine fibroids as well. A recent study links uterine fibroid growth activated by phthalates. Uterine fibroids resultting in a hysterectomy also renders a women permanently infertile.
Dolman Law Group is a nationally recognized and award-winning law firm that has assisted many clients with mass torts, catastrophic injury, and product liability lawsuits ranging from consumer goods to defective drugs. We are at the forefront of the hair straightener uterine cancer lawsuit. Immediately contact our hair straightener attorneys about the possibility of taking legal action if you have developed uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or uterine fibroids requiring a hysterectomy due to the regular use of hair straightening products.
Can Hair Straighteners Cause Uterine Cancer?
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Cancer, Along With Other Health Conditions
Many chemical hair straightening products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) – which alter and disrupt the functions of our endocrine system. Disruption of the endocrine system can lead to several diseases controlled by our hormones, such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
Hair Straightener Uterine Cancer
The connection between endocrine-disrupting chemicals and uterine cancer has been researched, including this recent study from the National Institutes of Health. Endocrine disruptors such as phthalates, parabens, and fragrances are present in chemical hair straightening products. We are very confident in the science linking endocrine-disrupting chemicals and uterine cancer.
Research is increasingly indicating that there is a correlation between hair straightener use and uterine cancer. Two studies were conducted and published in peer-reviewed journals. A 2010 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives discovered that women of African descent use more chemical hair relaxers and have higher levels of parabens and phthalates in their bodies. This research provides a likely explanation for why they suffer from more severe and frequent breast and endometrial cancers than white women. We believe the scientific evidence is strong for proving a chemical hair straightener uterine cancer link.
Hormone Related Cancers Like Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer (uterine cancer) and ovarian cancer rely on the hormone estrogen to grow and develop. Endocrine disruptors can lead to the overstimulation of cells and aid in developing either of the three aforementioned cancers. We can no longer ignore the link between hair straighteners and endometrial, breast, and ovarian cancer.
Hair Straightener and Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer are both hormone-sensitive cancers. The most common cancer found in this study was endometrial cancer via an endometrioid (tumor). Endometrial cancer is particularly sensitive to hormonal factors, which gives greater credence to endocrine disruptors in chemical hair straightening products being the likely culprit. We believe there is a strong link between endometrial cancer and hair straighteners.
Studies Show Devastating Impact on Black Women
This recent study comes on the heels of other studies; the International Journal of Cancer discovered possible links between hair straighteners and hair dyes and the development of breast and ovarian cancer.This latest study examined the data from the Sister Study led by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Cancer Epidemiology Group) on roughly 34,000 women in the United States aged 35 to 74. These study subjects filled out questionnaires asking about their use of hair products like hair straighteners, hair dye, permanents, body waves, relaxers, and hair pressing products.
Chemical Hair Straightener Use and Uterine Cancer Risk — The Numbers
The study found 378 cases of uterine cancer diagnosis out of the 33,497 participants in the hair straightener study. Out of the women who reported never using hair straightening products, only 1.64% would develop uterine cancer by age 70. On the other hand, 4.05% of women that reported using chemical hair straighteners and relaxers frequently developed uterine cancer by age 70.
Frequent Users Have the Greatest Risk of Cancer
Women that reported frequent use (prolonged exposure) of chemical hair straighteners were found to be at higher risk of developing uterine cancer than those that had never used these kinds of hair products. A noticeable increase in risk was observed even after a few uses yearly. Uterine cancer is fairly rare, and these statistics may not exceed the single digits, but they indicate a veritable risk increase that can be tied to the use of chemical hair straighteners.
The study participants that used hair straighteners saw over a double increase in cases of uterine cancer compared to participants that never used these hair products. Moreover, despite these only being single-digit percentages, when applied to the large number of women that use these products, these percentages translate to thousands of cases of uterine cancer.
Can Hair Products Increase the Risk of Uterine Cancer?
Although the study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute did not ask which specific brands of chemical hair products the participants used, it determined that risks for uterine cancer applied to those that used chemical hair straighteners. Still, the same links to uterine cancer did not exist with hair dyes, highlights, and perms. Despite this, many of these products still are under heavy scrutiny due to past studies finding a potential link between them and other cancers like breast cancer.
Researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) also utilized data from the Sister Study, a program committed to researching breast cancer. Their analysis identified 2,794 cases of breast cancer after chemical hair straighteners use and a 30% increase in the risk of developing breast cancer among women that used hair straighteners at least every five to eight weeks.
Why Does Chemical Hair Straightener Increase Uterine Cancer Risk?
The research conducted thus far is unable to provide a concrete explanation for why straightening hair is linked to a higher potential for uterine cancer. Studies have only been able to suggest that there is a correlation and make some predictions about the role hair straighteners play. Scientists believe that endocrine disruptors in certain substances are directly responsible for the raised risk of many illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity.
The fact remains that black women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with uterine cancer and, more specifically, endometrial cancer.
Studies have shown that these hair products tend to have harsher chemical compositions, which are needed to break down the structure of the consumer's hair and render it into the desired straightness or relaxed state.
The cancers connected to these hair products tend to be caused by hormonal disruptions, which have led scientists to theorize this may be how hair straighteners increase cancer risk and, more specifically, uterine cancer risk.
Scientists worry that endocrine-disrupting chemicals are readily absorbed into the scalp. Further, they present estrogen properties in the human body, which may play a large role in the rapid growth of uterine cancer and endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer among females.
Chemical hair straightening products usually contain parabens, bisphenol A, and formaldehyde, which individually contribute to the occurrence of uterine cancer but collectively may prove to be more dangerous. These hair straightening products contain high levels of these chemicals, and we are just learning how those dangerous chemicals work together—the mechanism wherein they can lead to endometrial cancer.
Increased Uterine Cancer Risk Among Black Women
Uterine cancer is considered fairly rare. However, studies have indicated that black women are diagnosed with it at a higher rate than any other race or ethnicity. The results of this study echo this increased risk of developing uterine cancer.
Black women comprised only 7.4% of the National Institutes of Health study's participants. However, they made up 59.9% of those that reported using chemical hair straighteners. In another study, researchers found that black women that regularly used permanent hair dyes were associated with a 60% increase in breast cancer diagnosis, compared to an 8% increase in risk among caucasian women.
The researchers found no associations between uterine cancer among other hair products (not used for straightening) that the women reported using, including bleach, highlights, perms, and permanent hair dye that altered natural hair. Chemical hair straightening products simply contain extremely high amounts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
The study, Use of Straighteners and Other Hair Products and Incident Uterine Cancer, is the first epidemiological evidence linking hair relaxer use to uterine cancer (and the most common form of uterine cancer—endometrial cancer). The rate of uterine cancer reported in this study is alarming, as it amounts to a relatively rare type of cancer.
Black women make up the primary consumer demographic for chemical hair straighteners and relaxers due to pressure to conform to eurocentric beauty standards and, in many cases, a desire for cosmetic versatility. This demographic not only consumes these products more than women of other races, but they also use them much earlier in their lives. It is also believed that black women are more likely to use multiple products simultaneously, possibly contributing to the risk of cancer.
Researchers have long sought to understand why black women have higher rates of uterine cancer. The answer may reside in the fact that black women use hair straightening chemicals at four times the rate of white women. Further, other hair products contribute very little risk of uterine cancer.
Finally, researchers also believe that exposure to hair straightening chemicals at earlier ages is also troubling, as the scalp allows for greater absorption. Hair straighteners also cause burns and lesions, which may further exacerbate the absorption of chemicals into the scalp. The goal is to eliminate or at least drastically decrease health disparities among black women.
Is Straightening Hair Toxic for Black Women?
The study, Use of Straighteners and Other Hair Products and Incident Uterine Cancer, is the first epidemiological evidence linking hair relaxer use to uterine cancer (and the most common form of uterine cancer—endometrial cancer). The rate of uterine cancer reported in this study is alarming, as it amounts to a relatively rare type of cancer.
Black women make up the primary consumer demographic for chemical hair straighteners and relaxers due to pressure to conform to eurocentric beauty standards and, in many cases, a desire for cosmetic versatility. This demographic not only consumes these products more than women of other races, but they also use them much earlier in their lives. It is also believed that black women are more likely to use multiple products simultaneously, possibly contributing to the risk of cancer.
Researchers have long sought to understand why black women have higher rates of uterine cancer. The answer may reside in the fact that black women use hair straightening chemicals at four times the rate of white women. Further, other hair products contribute very little risk of uterine cancer.
Finally, researchers also believe that exposure to hair straightening chemicals at earlier ages is also troubling, as the scalp allows for greater absorption. Hair straighteners also cause burns and lesions, which may further exacerbate the absorption of chemicals into the scalp. The goal is to eliminate or at least drastically decrease health disparities among black women.
Uterine Cancer and the Damage it Causes
The uterus is a hollow organ where the fetus develops and increases in size during a woman's pregnancy. Uterine cancer, as its name suggests, is cancer located in the uterus, usually beginning in its lining (endometrium). It is one of the more common gynecological cancers that affect the female reproductive system. However, in many cases, it can be cured in the early stages through a hysterectomy and other treatments such as immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
Types of Uterine Cancer
There are two types of uterine cancer:
- endometrial cancer
- uterine sarcoma
Endometrial cancer is a form of uterine cancer that grows within the lining of the uterus. This is the most common form of uterine cancer. It occurs when cells located in the lining of the uterus increase in number and grow out of control. Endometrial cancer is also known as endometrial carcinoma. In turn, endometrial cancer is divided into a number of subclassifications based on how the cancer cells appear under a microscope. The most common type of endometrial cancer is adenocarcinoma.
Uterine sarcoma is a less common form of uterine cancer. This is a very rare form of uterine cancer that grows within the muscle and supporting tissues of the uterus.
Uterine cancer is hormone-based, and a women's hormonal balance plays a large role in the vast majority of endometrial cancers. Estrogen leads to the development and growth of uterine or ovarian cancer; hence, endocrine-disrupting chemicals are a significant risk factor for both types of cancer.
Uterine cancer can be an incredibly painful and distressing illness to go through. As with any malignant cancer, it has the potential to cause significant damages, such as overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, mental anguish, and loss of quality of life.Consumer rights are a pillar of our society and critical to our well-being and safety. When products cause illnesses and health risks as serious as uterine cancer, a product liability lawsuit and mass torts case should be considered.
Status of the Chemical Hair Straightener Lawsuit
February 8, 2023 - Update on the Hair Straightener Lawsuit
Hair relaxer lawsuits have now been consolidated under a multidistrict litigation and are being transferred to the Northern District of Illinois. The MDL will be overseen by Judge Mary M. Rowland, who will be tasked with managing the various parties, their pre-trial coordination, and, potentially, bellwether trials in the future.
The creation of the MDL faced opposition from defendants who argued that an MDL was not suitable since the hair straightener lawsuit names several competing hair relaxer manufacturers, and plaintiffs used various brands throughout their lives. They also pointed out that no clear chemical culprit has been named as the one responsible for the injuries suffered by the plaintiffs.
Despite this, the JPML still deemed it necessary to create the MDL in the interest of efficiency when handling not just the existing hair relaxer lawsuits but the vast number of claims that are expected to be filed in the future.
December 28, 2022 - Update on the Hair Straightener Lawsuit
Multiple defendants have now filed motions opposing the transfer of venue and the creation of a national chemical hair relaxer uterine cancer MDL. Over the last ten days, responses from manufacturers of chemical hair straighteners, such as L'Oréal, Strength of Nature, Dabur, and House of Cheatham, have been filed with the Joint Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
The manufacturers were uniform in their opposition to the centralization of these lawsuits, and allege the vast number of defendants and diseases make consolidation an inefficient solution. In fact, they would prefer the lawsuits continue on their current tracks throughout the nation. Further, they also oppose the Northern District of Illinois as a venue, and L'Oréal, for one, would prefer the venue to be the Southern District of New York should an MDL be created. The JPML has set a hearing in Miami on January 25, 2023, to entertain oral arguments both for and against the creation of a hair-straightening uterine cancer lawsuit MDL.
December 17, 2022 - Update on the Hair Straightener Lawsuits
The Joint Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) issued a notice of hearing for the morning of January 25, 2023, wherein they will entertain oral arguments on whether all pending hair straightener uterine cancer lawsuits should be consolidated into a new MDL. A group of plaintiffs has argued that the common questions of fact and law contained in these lawsuits spread throughout Federal jurisdictions should be consolidated in order to streamline discovery and set bellwether trials in the near future.
MDLs are created to avoid redundancy in discovery across potentially thousands of cases. Further, an MDL prevents a situation where pre-trial rulings conflict with one another, and common witnesses would be trekking all over the nation to appear in various lawsuits.
November 15, 2022 - Update on the Hair Straightener Lawsuit
A number of plaintiffs came together and filed a motion with the Joint Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) to transfer actions and establish a national hair straightener uterine cancer MDL (Multidistrict litigation). The plaintiffs seek to consolidate all chemical hair relaxer lawsuits that are currently pending in Federal Courts throughout the United States and have them brought into a single jurisdiction before one Judge. In their memorandum of law, the plaintiffs requested that all hair straightener lawsuits be consolidated in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
The Hair Straightener Lawsuit Defendants
Far and away the biggest defendant in this lawsuit will be L'Oreal. L'Oreal manufactures well known hair straighteners including Dark & Lovely and Soft & Beautiful. Other companies with competing products that will be named as defendants include Unilever which manufactures Sunsilk and Just For Me and Proctor & Gamble who manufactures Ultra Sheen. Smaller manufacturers who will also be named in forthcoming lawsuits include: Softsheen Carson, Inc., Dabur International and Namaste Laboratories, Beauty Bell Enterprises, Parfums De Coeur, Cureplex, Avlon Industries and House of Cheatham.
Hair Straightener Brands
Popular brands of chemical hair straighteners include; Bantu, Dar & Lovely, Soft & Beautiful, Just For Me, Sunsilk, Ultra Sheen, Creme of Nature, Motions Hair Relaxer, African Pride, TCB Naturals Relaxer Crème, Positively Smooth Relaxer System and ORS Olive Oil.
How Our Product Liability Lawyers Can Help
Dolman Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm dedicated to assisting clients harmed by defective products. Our product liability lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience representing clients suffering debilitating injuries. They can provide you with the skills and insight developed through this experience to build a successful case.
The makers of products like chemical hair straighteners owe consumers a basic duty of care. Their failure to provide a product free of this unnecessary risk of cancer or, at the very least, a warning of this risk can potentially make them liable for damages consumers of their products have suffered.
Speaking to a product liability lawyer can shed light on whether or not you may be able to take legal action, what parties may be liable, what damages you can seek, and more. With our assistance, clients have obtained the compensation they need to get their life back on track and see those responsible for their injuries experience consequences.
Contact Dolman Law Group for Help With Your Hair Straightener Cancer Lawsuit
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with uterine cancer after using chemical hair straighteners or relaxers, then do not hesitate to contact Dolman Law Group about your potential hair relaxer lawsuit. Dolman Law Group serves clients from 15 locations across the state of Florida as well as offices across the nation in San Antonio, Boston, Houston, Savannah, and the Bronx.
We offer free consultations to prospective clients and can help you determine the legal options available to you regarding a hair straightening lawsuit.