A new study suggests that hair straightening creams that straighten curly hair may be linked to cervical cancer risk.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, an epidemiologist on Dr. Alexander White’s research team, participated in the “Sister Study” with 33,497 participants (35 to 74). As a result of a follow-up study conducted over 11 years for three), the Internet version of the British Daily Mail reported 18.
Overall, women who did not use hair straightening cream had a 1.64% risk of uterine cancer, but women who used the cream four or more times a year had an increased risk of uterine cancer by up to 4, 05%.
During the study period, 1,572 women who used hair straightening cream four or more times a year were diagnosed with uterine cancer, of which 26 had uterine cancer.
Of the 3,329 women who had never used hair straightening cream, 332 of them had cervical cancer.
Taking into account cervical cancer risk factors such as age, standard of living, alcohol consumption and smoking, it was analyzed that the use of a hair straightening cream is associated with an increase 55% risk of cervical cancer.
The chemicals used in hair straightening creams pass through the scalp, penetrate blood vessels, circulate and then enter the uterus, the research team explained.
In particular, if there are lacerations or wounds on the head, the absorption rate of these chemicals can be accelerated, the research team pointed out.
Although the study did not target specific brands of hair straightener products or specific ingredients in creams, they should be taken as warnings that the parabens, bisphenol A, and formaldehyde used in these products can increase the risk of cancer.
However, more research is needed to determine which of the chemicals used in hair straightener products are associated with cervical cancer risk, the researchers added.
All hair is made up of a protein called keratin.
Keratin contains a molecule called sulfide.
Keratin and sulfide sometimes couple together to form a disulfide bond.
At this point the hair becomes curly.
The straightening hair cream that straightens curly hair contains sodium hydroxide, which opens the outer layer of the hair, and ammonium thioglycolate, which breaks down disulfide bonds.
In addition, carcinogens such as formaldehyde or parabens are used as preservatives.
In the United States, uterine cancer accounts for only 3% of all female cancers, but it is the most common among female reproductive tract cancers.
In recent years, the cervical cancer diagnosis rate has been increasing.
The results of this study were published in the latest issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
/ yunhap news
