US study, dyes and straightening hair increase risk of breast cancer

Bad news for women using permanent dyes or hair straightening substances: a new large US study has observed a marked increase in the risks of developing breast cancer linked to these products.
The report of the prestigious 'National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences' ('National Institute of Environmental Sciences') found 9% higher risks among a sample of women who used permanent dyes and even 18% among those who used the products to smooth the hair. A more frequent use of these latter substances - every 5-8 weeks - has even been associated with an increase in the risk of breast cancer by 31%.
However, the researchers warned against drawing definitive conclusions, as the study observed a 'link' but did not prove the cause and effect relationship. "We know that there are many factors that contribute to cancer formation," said one of the authors, Alexandra White. The data come from the analysis of 46,709 women followed for 8 years: the volunteers were part of the so-called 'Sister study', as they were all sisters of women who had had cancer.
Although these women had a theoretically higher propensity to develop breast cancer - said White - the data apply to the general population. African-American women were particularly affected: for them the increase in risks related to the use of dyes was 45%.
So far, however, the Food and drug administration has not included permanent hair dyes in the list of carcinogenic substances, claiming that "reliable evidence" is still lacking.
The study is published in the "International Journal of Cancer".
"There is absolute safety of dyes and hair straighteners on the European Union market which, like all cosmetics, are regulated by strict legislation that guarantees maximum safety, a fundamental priority for companies in the sector together with the protection of health of users "emphasizes Cosmetica Italia commenting on the results of the American study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in the International Journal of Cancer on the possible greater risk of developing breast cancer for the sample of American women considered. "The same authors of the study - Cosmetica Italia says - advise to be cautious in interpreting the results of the study:" we are exposed to many factors that could potentially contribute to breast cancer and it is unlikely that a single factor explains the risk for a woman . In the past, the link between hair dye and cancer has been studied for a long time, but the results have always been inconsistent. "The study was developed in the United States, where legislation, different from that of the European Union, allows The use of substances that are not permitted in Europe is reaffirmed by Cosmetica Italia: "Consequently, the results obtained by the researchers are not transferable to European products." The strict and regularly updated EU criteria, they recall, contemplate that, first of the placing on the market, all the cosmetics, therefore also dyes and hair straighteners, are subjected to a careful and rigorous evaluation by qualified experts, which takes into account the finished product, its composition and the normal methods and frequencies of use both at home and at work to protect both hairdressers and end consumers.
"This assessment also guides the manufacturer in providing the necessary warnings and instructions for use, which are often even more restrictive than those required by law.
It should also be remembered that hair dyes are among the most studied products in recent years and the safety of products on the EU market has also been confirmed by the European Commission which has reiterated how "hair dyes are among the most accurately evaluated cosmetic products on the European market ", so that" the European Union is the safest market in the world for hair dyes ".