The lawyers at Johnson//Becker are pursuing litigation against the manufacturers of chemical hair relaxer products linked to ovarian cancer and uterine cancer.
To contact us for a Free Case Evaluation, please visit our contact form or dial (800) 279-6386. We would be honored to speak with you and respond promptly to every inquiry we receive.
Study: Hair Relaxer & Straightening Products Linked to Ovarian Cancer
A study published in 2021 indicated that women who frequently used hair relaxer/straightening products had an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. The survey of more than 40,000 women revealed that those who reported using hair relaxer products more than four times per year had more than double the incidence of non-users over a 10 year period.
As the study authors wrote: “These results suggest that frequent use of hair straighteners/relaxers… may be positively associated with the occurrence of non-serous ovarian cancers.”
The findings specifically indicated a link to non-serous ovarian cancer.
Hair straightener products often include chemicals that are endocrine-interrupting and/or carcinogenic, which could be responsible for the link to increased ovarian cancer occurrence.
These may include:
- Parabens
- Bispheonol A
- Formaldehyde, and
- Metals
Exposure to these substances during haircare may be more dangerous than other products because the hazardous substances can be absorbed through the scalp. This process could be even more likely with the use of straightener/relaxer products because they can cause burns or lesions in the scalp.
The results are of particular concern for Black women, who use relaxer products at a higher rate than other women.
Hair relaxer products have also been linked to a higher incidence of other hormone-related cancers such as breast cancer and uterine cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Information, Symptoms and Treatment
According to the National Cancer Institute, non-serous ovarian cancer is defined as:
“…certain types of ovarian cancers that form in the tissue covering the ovary. The main types of non-serous epithelial ovarian cancer are clear cell carcinoma, endometroid carcinoma, and mucinous carcinoma. Each type differs as to how the cancer cells look under a microscope, the tumor markers present, how quickly the cancer cells are likely to grow and spread, and their likely response to treatment. Non-serous epithelial ovarian cancers are much less common than serous epithelial ovarian cancer.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of ovarian cancer include abdominal bloating, weight loss, discomfort, fatigue, back pain, constipation, and frequent urination.
Treatment for uterine cancer is provided by a gynecological oncologist, and may include either surgery to remove the cancerous tissue, chemotherapy to shrink or kill growing cancer cells, or both.
Questions About a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit? Contact a Johnson//Becker Lawyer For a Free Case Review.
If you or a loved one developed ovarian cancer after using chemical hair relaxer products, you may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson//Becker, PLLC. We are actively filing new product liability lawsuits across the country, and you may be entitled to financial compensation.
We offer a Free Case Evaluation. Please contact us using the form below or by calling us at (800) 279-6386.
We would be honored to speak with you and respond promptly to every inquiry we receive.
Free Case Evaluation
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: (800) 279-6386.