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Beauty at a Cost? Hair Products and the Hidden Risks of Ovarian Cancer


Can the use of hair products pose as a risk to ovarian cancer? Lets' find out. Around 20,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with ovarian cancer yearly. Ovaries are the small, oval-shaped glands that are present on both sides of the uterus and are critical in regulation of the release of eggs, hormones, menstrual cycles, and pregnancy. An egg is released by the ovaries each menstrual cycle, until menopause is reached at around 45 to 55 years old.


Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that afflicts the ovaries and the fallopian tubes. There are four major types of ovarian cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer, germ cell carcinoma, stromal carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma of the ovary. Ovarian cancer is often referred to as the "silent killer" because it presents subtle and vague symptoms such as bloating, pelvic pain, and frequent urination.


While genetics and reproductive history are well-known risk factors, researchers are now exploring whether everyday exposures, including chemicals in hair products, may play a role. This report examines whether beauty practices, from heat styling to chemical treatments, could influence ovarian cancer risk.


According to OncoDaily, "ovarian cancer can arise from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factor." If mutations are inherited in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, it is found to increase the likelihood of contracting ovarian cancer. A syndrome cause by mutations in these genes, the Heredity Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC) is also predisposing individuals to ovarian cancer. Other risks also include age, family history, hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), and reproductive history. However, a new risk factor recently being explored is the use of certain hair products. Unlike heat-based styling tools such as curling irons, which rely on thermal energy, chemical-based products, including dyes, relaxers, and straighteners, often contain endocrine-disrupting compounds.


In a study published by Oxford University, 40,559 participants ages 35-74 without any history of ovarian cancer or bilateral oophorectomy were included in a Sister Study to evaluate whether hair products, which may contain carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, could be related to ovarian cancer. The Sister Study's findings provide a nuanced picture of how the use of hair product may relate to the risk of ovarian cancer. The use of dyes, relaxers, or permanents did not pose any overall association. However, the frequent use of straighteners or pressing products more than four times per year was linked to more than double the risk of ovarian cancer. An interesting find indicated that permanent hair dye appeared to increase the risk for non-serous cancers while decreasing the risk of serous cancers. Importantly, because straighteners and relaxers are disproportionately used by African American/Black women, the findings also raise critical questions about health disparities and the intersection of beauty practices with women’s health outcomes.


While heat-based products such as curling irons and others show no correlation in risk, chemical hair products may carry hidden dangers. The Sister Study's findings reinforce that the frequent use of straighteners and relaxers could double ovarian cancer. As researchers continue to unravel the links between everyday exposures and women's health, one message is clear: beauty should never come at the cost of well-being.


References



P53 Inc. “Ovarian Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Stages, Diagnosis and Treatment - OncoDaily.” Oncodaily - Oncology News, Insights, Stories, 24 Feb. 2025, oncodaily.com/oncolibrary/cancer-types/ovarian-cancer.


White, Alexandra J, et al. “Use of Hair Products in Relation to Ovarian Cancer Risk.” Carcinogenesis, vol. 42, no. 9, 26 June 2021, pp. 1189–1195, https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/bgab056.


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