Study: Hair-Coloring Products Do Not Increase Breast Cancer Risk

Women who use hair-coloring products are not at increased risk of developing breast cancer, according to U.S., Canadian and Italian researchers.

Hair dyes contain known carcinogens and have been suspected of causing breast cancer, but studies have been inconclusive.

Researchers developed a study to test the hypothesis that the risk of breast cancer varies by the type and color of the hair coloring products being used. A total of 608 women with breast cancer and 609 healthy women participated in the study.

Researchers found no increased risk linked with the overall use of hair dye products or exclusive use of permanent or temporary types of hair coloring products.

There was also no increased risk of breast cancer associated with the exclusive use of dark or light hair coloring products, or the use of mixed types or colors of hair dye products, according to the study published in the European Journal of Cancer.

Researchers also found no increased risk of breast cancer associated with hair dye based on a woman's reason for using a hair coloring product, such as to cover gray or to change natural hair color.

"These data suggest that the use of hair coloring products does not have a major impact on the risk of breast cancer," concluded the researchers.

Other sources: European Journal of Cancer