Nashville Hair Dye Lawsuit Update [May 2026]
The Link Between Hair Dye and Breast Cancer
In a national prospective cohort study, researchers examined the link amount hair dye products and chemical relaxer/straightener use and breast cancer risk by race. Their findings from the Sister Study were published in the International Journal of Cancer. Researchers found that permanent hair dye use was associated with a 45% greater risk of breast cancer in Black women and 7% higher risk in white women.
We observed a higher breast cancer risk associated with any straightener use and personal use of permanent dye, especially among black women. These results suggest that chemicals in hair products may play a role in breast carcinogenesis.
Eberle, C., Sandler, D. P., Taylor, K. W., & White, A. J. (2019). Hair dye and chemical straightener use and breast cancer risk in a large US population of black and white women. International Journal of Cancer, 147(2), 383–391. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.32738

Two Types of Breast Cancers Linked to Prolonged Exposure to Hair Dye Products
Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer refers to tumors that have receptors for the hormones estrogen, progesterone, or sometimes both. These hormone-sensitive tumors are the most common type, with about 80% testing positive for estrogen alone or in combination with progesterone.
Emerging research has raised concerns about potential risk factors. For instance, a study published in Carcinogenesis revealed that Black women who regularly used darker shades of permanent hair dye faced a 51% higher risk of developing breast cancer overall—and an even steeper 72% increased risk for estrogen-positive tumors.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Triple-negative breast cancer is an uncommon and aggressive form of the disease. Unlike other breast cancers, TNBC fails to express receptors for estrogen, progesterone, or HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2). Because it lacks these typical targets, TNBC is notoriously harder to treat and tends to spread more rapidly. It represents roughly 15% of all breast cancer diagnoses.
While there’s limited research linking hair dye use specifically to TNBC, one study published in The BMJ suggested that personal use of permanent hair dye may elevate the risk of developing triple-negative breast cancer.


