A study in the International Journal of Cancer followed over 45,000 women and found that those who used permanent hair dye in the past year were 9% more likely to develop breast cancer than those who didn’t dye their hair. Permanent hair dye was associated with a 45% higher risk of breast cancer in black women and 7% higher in white women. Black women who dyed their hair every five to eight weeks had a 60% higher risk for breast cancer.
Women (regardless of race) who used a hair straightening product at least once every couple of months were 30% more likely to develop breast cancer. Read more about the study.
How Could This Be Happening?
First of all, it helps to understand that breast tissue is mostly fat. You see, the body stores toxins in fat tissue and we are exposed to over 83,000 new chemicals that were not in our world 100 years ago.
Hair products contain more than 5,000 chemicals and are amongst the many sources of potential endocrine disruptors and carcinogens in our environment.
For those carrying a few extra pounds (fat), you may be wondering why the breasts. Why not other areas of the body that have a lot of fat?
You see, the lymph system through the body is responsible for toxin and excess fluid removal. Your body (with the help of muscle contraction and gravity) does a pretty good job assisting with lymph flow except in the area of the breast. This area needs some assistance in order to improve lymphatic flow to help with detoxification.
How to Minimize Your Breast Cancer Risks
Reducing your chemical exposure, exercising and eating a healthy diet are a few things you can do to minimize your risk of breast cancer. Applying a proper lymphatic drainage massage is also imperative to breast health.
Most importantly, a regular breast exam is vital to help you become aware of areas of concern before it becomes too big of a problem. Denali offers a comprehensive breast evaluation where our trained providers will map out the exact areas on your breasts that are areas of concern. You will be shown techniques to increase lymphatic flow and how to address your specific areas of concern.
Learn more about Denali’s Best Breast Health program.
About Breast Cancer
In the U.S. breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women (skin cancer is #1). It is said that one in eight American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime (and it is nearly double if she has a close relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
