Hair products usage and breast cancer among Latinas living in Puerto Rico: The HERSAFE Study

Introduction. Hair products are widely used for aesthetic enhancement, yet their prolonged usage raises concerns about potential health risks. Many shampoos, conditioners, mascaras, dyes, among other products, contain ingredients that have been linked to endocrine disruption and possible carcinogenic effects. This study aims to assess the use of hair products across the lifespan of Latina women and breast cancer risk. Materials and Methods. The ongoing “HERSAFE” case-control study examines the relationship between beauty product use and breast cancer among Hispanic women in Puerto Rico. Participants were recruited from Comprehensive Cancer Hospital and Radiotherapy Center. Data collection included a 45-60-minute survey on socio-demographics, lifestyle, maternal health, and beauty product usage. Data was stored in RedCap. STATA was used for demographics and logistic regression analysis (95%CI). Results. Participants (n=105) mean age was 55.4 (SD±11.5). Only 28% of participants live below poverty levels (<$20,000) and 87% had at least one child. Around 23% of the participants reported a darker skin tone, compared to the lightest color. Participants reported the use of permanent and semi-permanent products during their lifetime; with 57% and 16% of the participants reporting over 10 years of permanent dye and semi-permanent dye. A non-significant trend of increased risk of breast cancer was observed among users of semi-permanent dye (AOR 1.65 95%CI:0.64-4.21). Similar results were observed for those who used permanent dye. Conclusion. This research aims to enhance awareness of cosmetic safety, encourage informed consumer choices, and advocate for stricter regulations on harmful ingredients in beauty care products. Further research with larger samples and additional variables is needed to better understand potential influences on breast cancer risk for this population.