#higher risk

Hair relaxers could be causing higher rates of fibroids among Black women, a study has found. Relaxers and leave-in conditioners were linked to an increased risk of the more aggressive form of breast cancer at a younger age, according to research by Boston University in the US. Estrogen hormone compounds contained in some Black hair products were singled out as the culprit. The link with increased fibroids is also under the microscope, with the Black Women’s Health Study of 23,500 premenopausal women finding that women who used hair relaxers were 17% more likely to develop fibroids compared to women who did not use these products. While there are not yet any UK studies into this area, the red flag will surely alarm Black women in Britain too. Fibroids are non-cancerous growths of muscle and fibrous tissue that develop in and around the womb. The issue with fibroids is not only the disproportionate level of for Black women, but the negative experience such as late diagnosis due to treatment by healthcare professionals. 80% of African-Caribbean women are predicted to suffer from fibroids by the age of 50, in comparison to 70% of white women, NHS research has found.

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Weed users nearly 25% more likely to need emergency care and hospitalization

Using recreational marijuana is associated with a higher risk of emergency room care and being hospitalized for any reason, a new study has found. “Cannabis use is not as benign and safe as some might think,” said study author Nicholas Vozoris, assistant professor and clinician investigator in the division of respirology at the department of medicine at the University of Toronto. “Our study…