Women who use hair relaxers are significantly more likely to develop uterine fibroids, cancer, and other serious health problems, according to recent studies.
Need a Texas Hair Relaxer Fibroids Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one used hair relaxers and was diagnosed with uterine fibroids, uterine cancer, endometriosis, or breast cancer, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
What is the problem?
Hair relaxers are used by millions of black women to straighten their hair. Over time, women are exposed to high levels of toxic chemicals in hair relaxers through scalp lesions, burns, and irritated skin. These chemicals may cause cancer or cause other health problems due to endocrine-disrupting side effects.
Why Are Hair Relaxers so Risky?
In recent years, multiple studies have found that women who routinely use hair relaxers are more likely to develop fibroids, uterine cancer, breast cancer, endometriosis, and other serious health problems.
Researchers warn that hair relaxers may contain carcinogenic chemicals (such as formaldehyde) or other chemicals that can mimic estrogen.
Some of these chemicals can have hormone-disrupting side effects, such as parabens and phthalates, which may explain why they are linked to women’s health problems.
Hair Relaxers Linked to 2-3X Increased Risk of Fibroids
In January 2012, a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology warned that African American women who used hair relaxers were 2-3 times more likely to be diagnosed with uterine fibroids (also called “uterine leiomyomata”) than women who did not report using hair relaxers.
Another Study Links Hair Relaxers and Cancer
In October 2022, a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that women who used hair relaxers at least every 3 months were twice as likely to be diagnose with uterine cancer compared to women who did not use hair relaxers.
The lead author of the study, Shirley McDonald of the Hair and Scalp Clinic, warned:
“We now know that many hair products contain chemicals that are considered carcinogenic and/or hormone disrupters, leading to increased risk of medical issues such as fibroids.”
Fibroids and Uterine Cancer
Uterine fibroids are usually not cancer. Most fibroids are just “benign” tumors or growths — but not always. Some fibroids are actually cancer, including a life-threatening cancer called leiomyosarcoma.
In other cases, women who think they have fibroids actually have a common type of uterine cancer — such as endometrial carcinoma, which starts when cells in the inner lining of the uterus begin growing uncontrollably. The most common symptom is abnormal bleeding.
Is My Fibroid Actually Cancer?
There is no way to tell if a fibroid is cancerous by symptoms alone, but fibroids are more likely to be cancer when they are causing serious symptoms like pain or bleeding, or when they grow large more quickly.
Fibroids May Lead to Hysterectomy or Infertility
Fibroids are one of the most common gynecological problems for women over 40 years old. They are also the top reason why women choose to undergo a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus). When fibroids occur in younger women, they can cause infertility.
Do Fibroids Always Cause Symptoms?
No. Most fibroids are small and do not cause symptoms, but when they do, the symptoms can severe. Fibroids can grow very large — up to several pounds. They can also cause debilitating pain or bleeding that require surgery to remove the fibroid and uterus (hysterectomy).
Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids
Some of the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids include:
- Pelvic pain or discomfort
- Abnormal swelling in the pelvic area
- Heavy bleeding during periods
- Abnormal bleeding (such as especially heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, spotting in between periods, bleeding after menopause, etc.)
- And more
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Need a Hair Relaxer Fibroids Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.