#0146 Association of hairdressing with cancer and reproductive diseases: A systematic review
Are Hairdressing Professionals at an Increased Risk of Cancer and Reproductive Diseases?
Hairdressing professionals are exposed to many chemicals in haircare products, some of which may cause cancer. Owing to their profession, they encounter such chemicals for long durations, putting them at a high risk of suffering from harmful effects. Many previous studies have reported that hairdressers are at an increased risk of developing bladder cancer, multiple myeloma, and reproductive defects. However, these studies were conducted over decades making these findings vague and unreliable.
To fill the knowledge gap, an international team of researchers systematically reviewed all clinical studies published over the past two decades to investigate the carcinogenic (cancer-causing) and reprotoxic (affecting reproductive system) effects of haircare products. They selected studies published in electronic databases between 2000 and 2021 that reported cases of cancer and/or reproductive adverse events among hairdressers 1995 onwards. In total, four case studies related to cancer and six studies exploring reproductive toxicity were identified.
Only one of these four reported that hairdressers had a nine-fold higher risk of developing bladder cancer than population-based controls. Most studies found no link between high cancer risk and hairdressing products. To determine reproductive toxicity, many parameters were assessed including menstrual disorders, birth defects, premature deliveries, miscarriages, smaller than usual newborns, and infertility. All six studies suggested that hairdressers are not at an increased risk for reproductive disorders. However, ventricular septal defect, a birth defect in the heart, was seen in all infants whose fathers were hairdressers. Additionally, mothers working as hairdressers and their newborn babies suffered from poor health in general.
The researchers did not find any studies exploring the relationship of specific hairdressing tasks with cancer and reproductive disorders. Thus, further investigations with new parameters and bigger sample sizes are needed to assess whether specific tasks lead to higher risk of adverse effects. Additionally, well-designed studies to assess the carcinogenic potential of individual hairdressing products are also required.
Although the article points to a lack of evidence suggesting hairdressing to be a profession with higher risks of cancer and reproductive toxicity, the general health risks associated with exposure to harsh chemicals cannot be ignored. Therefore, preventive measures that protect hairdressers from exposure to harmful chemicals are the need of the hour.
Link to original journal article:
https://academic.oup.com/joh/article/64/1/e12351/7249447
Title of the paper:
Association of hairdressing with cancer and reproductive diseases: A systematic review
Authors:
Željka Babić, Marija Macan, Zrinka Franić, Sarah Hallmann, Martin S. Havmose, Jeanne D. Johansen, Swen M. John, Cara Symanzik, Wolfgang Uter, Patricia Weinert, Henk F. van der Molen, Sanja Kezic, Rajka Turk, Jelena Macan
