Hair Dye And Cancer: Myth Or Danger?

For the most part, there are risk factors that contribute to a person’s likelihood of developing cancer. However, specialists in the field of oncology also state that having any or all of the know risk factors attributed to a certain type of cancer does not mean that you will ever contract the disease. While research shows that cancer happens seemingly at will, it has long been suggested that using hair dye will increase your risk factor for certain types of bladder and breast cancer.

As with the risk factors, there have been conflicting reports indicating whether or not hair dye is a contributor to these cancers. Until May 2005, when the American Medical Association conducted a large meta analysis that pulled all previous study results, research had drawn no conclusive evidence as to the risk factor involved with using hair dye. Reports now show that hair dye is unlikely to contribute to bladder cancer.

Hair Dye And Multiple Myeloma, Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma And Leukaemia

While these is yet no definitive evidence showing that the use of hair dye is directly linked to these types of cancer, it may be a very minor risk factor in certain types of cancer that affect the blood cells. Again, conflicting studies can be found concerning non Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Small research studies have shown a possible risk while others have shown none. The meta analysis of these studies showed that there is a possible link between the use of hair dye and myeloma, lymphoma and some types of lymphoblastic leukaemia, but that any increased risk must be extremely small. It was suggested long term use of dark hair dye might slightly increase your risk of developing non Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but that was primarily due to hair dye used before 1980. Since then, hair dyes have changed and no longer use and cancer causing carcinogens.

As research continues to dispute the risk factors involved with using hair dyes, this is a decision you have to make for yourself. There is information available at the Journal of the American Medical Association and at CancerHelp UK that can help shed more light on your possible health risks due to lifestyle choices, genetics and in association with the use of certain items, such as hair dye. When making the decision to dye your hair, consider your family history – do you have a history of cancer that affects the blood or lymph systems? According to CancerHelp UK, if you are concerned about your possible risk factors for certain types of cancer, consider your personal diet, smoking, exercise and drinking habits. These are more likely to contribute to your cancer risk and, good news, can be improved upon immediately.

Source: carefair.com