Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Addressing the Disparities Faced by African American Women
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a crucial time to highlight the disproportionate impact of breast cancer on African American women. This group faces the highest diagnosis rate of any racial group in the United States, and it's the second leading cause of cancer death among them, after lung cancer.
This disparity stems from several factors: later-stage diagnoses due to limited access to preventative care, higher rates of obesity and related health conditions, and a higher prevalence of aggressive triple-negative breast cancers. Furthermore, access to and adherence to quality cancer treatments is often a significant barrier.
Adding to these challenges is the disproportionate exposure of women of color to environmental toxins. A significant source of this exposure is the beauty and personal care industry. Black women, on average, purchase nine times more beauty products than white women, many containing harmful hormone disruptors like parabens and phthalates. These products, frequently marketed to Black women, often include ingredients linked to increased cancer risk, including those found in skin lighteners, hair relaxers, Brazilian blowouts, nail treatments, and hair dyes.
A Boston University study of nearly 60,000 African American women over 25 years found that frequent use (at least seven times a year for 15+ years) of lye-based hair relaxers increased the risk of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer by approximately 30%. The study underscores the importance of considering the long-term effects of these products.
Concerns also extend to feminine hygiene products. Ingredients such as dioxins, artificial colors, fragrances, and pesticide residues in these products have been linked to various health problems, including cancer and reproductive issues. Women of color and low-income women constitute a large portion of the consumer base for these products.
To reduce toxic exposure, the article recommends several steps: avoiding fragrances, making homemade cleaning products, reading ingredient labels, reducing GMO consumption, drinking filtered water, avoiding non-stick cookware and canned goods, minimizing plastic use, eating organic food, choosing natural hair care, opting for unscented products, using chlorine-free tampons and pads, or considering safer alternatives like reusable pads or sea sponge tampons.
Further resources are provided, including links to relevant statistics, research on phthalates in hair salons, and information on organizations supporting Black women's health.