A review of hair product use on breast cancer risk in African American women. (15th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stiel, Laura; Adkins‐Jackson, Paris B.; Clark, Phyllis; Mitchell, Eudora; Montgomery, Susanne
• Is Part Of: Cancer medicine. Volume 5:Number 3(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 597
• Page End: 604
• Publication Date: 2016-01-15
• Subjects: African Americans -- breast neoplasms -- hair -- health status disparities -- women's health; 616.994005
• DOI: 10.1002/cam4.613
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7634

Abstract

Abstract: The incidence rate of breast cancer for African American women has recently converged with that of non‐Hispanic White women in the United States, although African Americans have a higher mortality rate due to this disease. Although most research exploring health disparities associated with this phenomenon has focused on differences between women based on biology and behavior, both the academic and lay communities have begun to explore the potential role of environmental exposure to estrogen and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This study reviews the current state of the science associating one such means of exposure, hair products containing EDCs, with breast cancer risk in African American women. We found a growing body of evidence linking: (1) environmental estrogen and EDC exposures to breast cancer risk, (2) the presence of such chemicals in personal care products, including hair products, and (3) the use of certain hair products with potential breast cancer risk in African Americans. At the same time, there is also increasing concern in the lay community about this risk. These results indicate the need for additional research, and the opportunity to benefit from strategic partnerships in community‐collaborative approaches in order to better understand the potential "cost of beauty." Abstract : Within the context of breast cancer health disparities, this review presents a growing body of evidence linking: (1) environmental estrogen and endocrine disrupting chemical exposures to breast cancer risk, (2) the presence of such chemicals in personal care products, including hair products, and (3) the use of certain hair products to breast cancer risk in African American women. This issue is also a source of increasing concern in the lay community, and there is an urgent need for additional research, including through strategic partnerships using community‐collaborative approaches.