December 2019


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Permanent Hair Dye and Straighteners May Increase Breast Cancer Risk


The Hampton Roads Messenger 11 Healthy Recipe Lentil Taco Filling


The study found that women who use permanent hair dye and chemical hair straighteners have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who don’t use these products. NIEHS


BY NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Scientists


at hair the straighteners National


Institutes of Health found that women who use permanent hair dye and chemical


have a


higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who don’t use these products. The study published online Dec. 4 in the International Journal of Cancer and suggests that breast cancer risk increased with more frequent use of these chemical hair products.


Using data from 46,709 women in the Sister Study, researchers at the National


Institute of Environmental


Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of NIH, found that women who regularly used permanent hair dye in the year prior to enrolling in the study were 9% more likely than women who didn’t use hair dye to develop breast cancer. Among African


American women, using


permanent dyes every five to eight weeks or more was associated with a 60% increased risk of breast cancer as compared with an 8% increased risk for white women. The research team found little to no increase in breast cancer


risk for semi-permanent temporary dye use.


"Researchers have been studying the possible link between hair dye and cancer for a long time, but results have been inconsistent," said corresponding author Alexandra White, Ph.D., head of the NIEHS Environment and Cancer Epidemiology Group. "In our study, we see a higher breast cancer risk


or


associated with hair dye use, and the effect is stronger in African American women, particularly those who are frequent users. "


An intriguing finding was


the association between the use of chemical hair straighteners and breast cancer. Dr.


White and colleagues


found that women who used hair straighteners at least every five to eight weeks were about 30% more likely to develop breast cancer. While the association between straightener use and breast cancer was similar in African American and white women, straightener use was much more common among African American women.


chief of the NIEHS Epidemiology Branch,


Co-author Dale Sandler, Ph.D., cautioned


that there is some prior evidence


although to


support the association with chemical straighteners, these results need to be replicated in other studies.


When asked if women should


stop dyeing or straightening their hair, Sandler said, "We are exposed to many things that could potentially contribute to breast cancer, and it is unlikely that any single factor explains a woman’s risk. While it is too early to make a firm recommendation, avoiding these chemicals might be one more thing women can do to reduce their risk of breast cancer."


60 Calories per serving


Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Total time: 40 minutes Number of Servings: 8


Ingredients 1/2 cup chopped onion


1/2 cup chopped bell pepper (any color) 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon oil


1/2 cup dried lentils, rinsed 4 1/2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin


1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro or oregano (optional) 1 1/4 cups broth, any flavor


Directions


In a large skillet, sauté the onion, bell pepper and garlic in oil until tender, about 3 minutes.


Add the lentils, chili powder, cumin and cilantro/oregano (if using). Cook and stir for 1 minute.


Add broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until the lentils are tender, 20 to 30 minutes for brown lentils, Add water if necessary to keep the lentils just covered with liquid.


Uncover; cook until mixture thickens and most of the water is gone, 5 to 10 minutes.


Learn what's new at HBCUs across the country at www.thehbcuadvocate.com


Use for tacos, wraps or salad. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.


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