Ross Feller Casey is actively investigating litigation on behalf of women who have developed uterine cancer due to dangerous chemicals in hair-straightening products.
A new national study has found that using popular hair-straightening products and relaxers significantly increased women's risk of developing uterine cancer. In the most startling finding, women who reported using hair-straightening products more than four times in the previous year were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer (4.05 percent) compared to those who did not use the products (1.64 percent).
The study, conducted by the National Institutes of Health and published in October 2022 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, followed nearly 33,500 U.S. women, ages 35-74, over 11 years. Over that time, 378 cases of uterine cancer were reported among the group.
Researchers in the study said several chemicals routinely found in hair-straightening products — formaldehyde, metals, and parabens — could be associated with the increased cancer risk. Additionally, they noted that straighteners, in particular, may be riskier than some other hair products because of the way straighteners can cause burns and abrasions on the scalp, increasing the chemical absorption.
The study was the first ever to examine the relationship between the use of hair-straighteners or hair-relaxers and uterine cancer. However, previous studies have found that the products increased the risks of breast and ovarian cancer.
In the U.S., about 66,000 women are diagnosed with uterine cancer each year, and 12,500 die from the disease annually. Studies show that incident rates of uterine cancer have been rising in the United States, particularly among Black women.
In the most recent findings, researchers noted that the results are especially concerning for Black women, who are far more likely to use such hair straighteners and hair relaxers.
"I don't think Black women are necessarily at a higher risk from using these products. They're just more likely to be the ones who are using these products," said Alexandra White, the study's lead author. "So really, the public health burden of these hair products falls in that population."
Study researchers did not collect information on specific brands. However, many large hair care companies make straightening products that contain the chemicals highlighted in the study. They include:
We understand you and your family [RA1] may be suffering from a [RA2] diagnosis of uterine cancer and wondering how this happened to you. We know you are likely inundated with medical and related bills due to the diagnosis. We want to work to find justice for you and recover the compensation you deserve, just as we have done for hundreds of others injured by the negligence of others.
Ross Feller Casey is one of the nation’s leading personal injury law firms. Our attorneys have recovered more than $1 billion in the last five years alone for individual clients who were injured as a result of someone else's negligence. Our long list of courtroom victories includes some of the region's biggest medical malpractice and product liability verdicts and settlements.
Here are just a few:
That success is due in part to Ross Feller Casey's team of on-staff, nationally recognized and board-certified physicians, three of whom are also lawyers. This uniquely positions us to thoroughly investigate and litigate cases involving uterine cancer-causing chemicals in hair-straightener products.
If you or a loved one developed uterine cancer and had used hair-straightening products, you should contact the experienced attorneys at Ross Feller Casey now. Ross Feller Casey has a remarkable record of winning personal injury cases throughout Pennsylvania, including cases involving all types of cancers.
Ross Feller Casey handles all its cases, including those involving hair-straightening products, on a contingency basis. That means that you will not pay anything until there is a financial recovery in your case.