Hach & Rose, LLP is currently investigating claims that hair-relaxing products put consumers at a higher risk of developing uterine cancer. We are representing women in chemical hair straightener lawsuits throughout the nation who have developed uterine cancer and most specifically endometrial cancer along with claims of uterine fibroids resulting in a hysterectomy.
Chemical hair straighteners contain materials proven to cause a higher cancer risk, among women. In fact, these chemicals are known to disrupt the body’s endocrine system which regulates our production of hormones. Several cancers thrive off the production of hormones such as estrogen. Such cancers include uterine cancer and ovarian cancer.
Chemical Hair Straightening Lawsuit Update
December 28, 2022 – Chemical Hair Straightener Lawsuit
There are presently just over 100 hair relaxer lawsuits filed in various Federal Courts throughout the nation. On November 15, 2022, a group of plaintiffs filed a motion to transfer venue with the goal of establishing a federal hair straightener MDL based on common questions of fact and law that have been raised in the approximately 100 hair straightener lawsuits as of date. The motion was filed with the Joint Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML).
In an MDL, all lawsuits that have been filed in federal courts throughout the nation would be consolidated in one jurisdiction before a single judge. The plaintiffs have requested that the Northern District of Illinois be chosen as the proper venue for the hair relaxer uterine cancer lawsuit.
The JPML issues a notice of hearing on December 16, stating it will entertain oral arguments on the morning of January 26, 2023, to determine whether all hair straightening lawsuits should be consolidated. There are a number of manufacturers involved with the biggest being L’oreal. However, the manufacturers are opposed to the creation of a hair straightening MDL due to the amount of defendants and varying types of injuries.
Uterine Cancer From Hair Straighteners
A recent study conducted by the National Institutes of Health and published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute confirmed a link between the use of chemical hair straightening products (hair relaxers) and uterine cancer.
The above referenced study entitled Use of Straighteners and Other Hair Products and Incident Uterine Cancer, followed 33,947 participants over the course of 11 years. The results showed that women who had used chemical hair straightening products frequently (frequent users deveined as more than four times per year) were greater than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer as women who did not use these products.
The results of the National Cancer Institute study are particularly concerning for Black women, who commonly use hair-relaxing products and are more likely than other groups of women to develop and die from cancer especially of the uterine form.. In fact, black women are up to four times as likely to develop uterine cancer compared with their white counterparts.
What is Uterine Cancer?
Uterine caner is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. The most common form is endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer forms in the endometrium; which is the lining of the uterus. The other type of uterine cancer is uterine sarcoma. A uterine cancer diagnosis can be devastating news and often results in infertility. However, this is a treatable form of cancer when diagnosed early.
Risk Factors for Uterine Cancer
- Obesity
- Over the age of 50
- Family member with uterine, ovarian or colon cancer
- Estrogen replacement during menopause
- Envorinmental factors (this includes hair products which helps explain the health disparitires and increased uterine cancer rates for black women)
Why Black Women Have Such a High Rate of Uterine Cancer
For years, scientists and researchers were baffled as to why black women had a disproportionately high rate of uterine cancer and endometrial cancer as compared to white women. Black women are not predisposed to this type of cancer. Rather, it is the common use of chemical hair straighteners and the increased risk of uterine cancer that explains this away.
This is the first epidemiological study finding an association between chemical hair straighteners and uterine cancer regardless of frequent use. However, frequent users are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer.
If you were diagnosed with uterine or ovarian cancer or uterine fibroids resulting in a hysterectomy after using chemical hair straighteners and relaxers, you could be entitled to seek compensation from the manufacturer. Companies have a responsibility to ensure that their products are safe for consumers to use and warn consumers of any possible dangers associated with using their products. Contact the hair relaxer lawsuit attorneys with Hach & Rose, LLP to discuss your situation and your legal options.
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Hair Straightening Products
Chemical hair straightening products typically contain endocrine disrupting chemicals. While the National Institutes of Health study may be the first research paper investigating the link between hair straighteners and uterine cancer, there is a body of scientific research on the subject of endocrine disrupting chemicals.
Our endocrine system controls the body’s production and use of specific hormones. Endocrine disrupting chemicals disrupt the endocrine system and can completely throw hormone production out of whack. Many diseases, including uterine cancer, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer (a type of uterine cancer) are known as hormone related cancers. In other words, hormones could create and exacerbate cancers and diseases.
Endocrine Disruptors and Uterine Cancer
Here is some interesting information on the science behind the link between endocrine disrupting chemicals and uterine cancer. We can only assume that these endocrine disrupting chemicals play a large role in why the users of hair straightening products cause women to develop uterine cancer. This is the only logical reason why black women develop uterine cancer at such an alarming rate.
Chemicals in Hair Straightening Products That May Be Linked to Uterine Cancer and Ovarian Cancer
Although the recent study did not collect data on specific brands, researchers did identify various chemicals used as ingredients in hair relaxers that could put women at a higher risk of developing uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer. These chemicals are among the highest risk factors for uterine cancer. Some of those hair straightening chemicals include:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Formaldehyde
- Sodium hydroxide
- Diethanolamine
- Cyclosiloxanes
- Triclosan
- Bisphenol A
- Benzophenone-3
- Heavy metals
Parabens and phthalates fall under the umbrella of hair straightening chemicals that are endocrine disruptors. Both chemicals are associated with increased uterine cancer risk.
Hair Straightener Products With Dangerous Chemicals
Hair straightener manufacturer in parentheses
- Optimum (L’Oreal)
- Dark and Lovely (L’Oreal)
- Precise (L’Oreal)
- Bantu (L’Oreal)
- Olive Oil Girls (Namaste Laboratories, LLC)
- Organic Root Stimulator (Namaste Laboratories, LLC)
- Soft & Beautiful (Nature Global, LLC)
- Motions (Nature Global, LLC)
- Just For Me (Strength of Naure Global, LLC)
Black Women Disproportionately Impacted by Uterine Cancer caused by Hair Products
A 2016 study by the Environmental Working Group studied retailers and stores that sell beauty products targeting black women. The researchers cataloged ingredients in numerous products including hair straighteners.
In regards to chemical hair straighteners, the study found a vast majority were considered extremely risky for “potential harm.” In fact, a number of “no lye” relaxers and dyes were marketed as safe alternatives due to lacking sodium hydroxide. However, these “no lye” treatments were deemed by the study to pose a substantial health risk as they contained formaldehyde and parabens. Both ingredients are linked to increased uterine cancer risk.
Who Qualifies for a Chemical Hair Straightener Lawsuit?
If you used a chemical hair straightening product (lye or no-lye) at least once a year and developed uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer or had uterine fibroids resulting in a hysterectomy, you could be eligible for a toxic hair relaxer lawsuit.
Furthermore, women who used a leave-in conditioner or oil, permanent hair dye, keratin treatment, Brazilian blowout treatment, or certain other chemical hair products could be entitled to legal action, as these products may also be linked to uterine and other cancers.
To find out if you qualify for a lawsuit, contact Hach & Rose, LLP today to speak with a knowledgeable New York product liability attorney.
Contact a Chemical Hair Straightener Lawsuit Attorney
Hach & Rose, LLP is currently investigating claims that hair-relaxing products put consumers at a higher risk of developing uterine cancer. If you were diagnosed with uterine cancer after using chemical hair-relaxing products, reach out to speak with a hair straightener uterine cancer lawyer. There is a growing body of science illustrating that hair relaxers are linked to increased cancer risk. Our consultations are always 100% free, so contact us now to discuss your case.