My crown and glory: Community, identity, culture, and Black women’s concerns of hair product-related breast cancer risk

Heavy is the Head That Wears the Crown: Black Men’s Perspective on Harmful Effects of Black Women’s Hair Product Use and Breast Cancer Risk

“…The men with partners who survived the disease were more knowledgeable about breast cancer risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment. While Black men share in the concerns about the potentially harmful chemicals impacting the health of Black women ( Teteh et al, 2017 ), they are affirmed in their beliefs that Black women will not forgo these products even at the risk to their health. This outcome supports our previous findings ( Teteh et al, 2017 ), highlighting the tension and struggle that Black women face with regards to their hair, health, and identity.…”

“…While Black men share in the concerns about the potentially harmful chemicals impacting the health of Black women ( Teteh et al, 2017 ), they are affirmed in their beliefs that Black women will not forgo these products even at the risk to their health. This outcome supports our previous findings ( Teteh et al, 2017 ), highlighting the tension and struggle that Black women face with regards to their hair, health, and identity. The question then becomes what will it take to impact changed behaviors if neither Black men’s support for natural hair nor the knowledge of harmful chemicals can dissuade women from using products that are harmful to them?…”

“…Recent studies suggest that societal perceptions of female beauty and hair care may play a significant role. Hair has deep cultural and familial roots for Black communities, and it has been noted that Black women are taught either directly or indirectly what is considered acceptable by society from their families ( Bryant, 2013 ; Teteh et al, 2017 ). Mainstream displays of beauty and desirable physical attributes among Black women continue to be strongly influenced by European standards of beauty ( Ashe, 1995 ; Byrd & Tharps, 2014 ; Rooks, 1996 ).…”

“…Therefore, many Black women alter their physical looks in order to gain approval (consciously or subconsciously) from dominant societal groups. The sociocultural significance of hair to Black women has been documented throughout history; however, the connection between hair product use, breast cancer risk, and Black identity through hair is an important interplay, which is now gaining interest in the biomedical, epidemiologic, and social science literature ( Teteh et al, 2017 , 2019 ).…”

Chemical/straightening and other hair product usage during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood among African-American women: potential implications for health

“…A recent qualitative study that consisted of focus groups of 91 women in California (93% African-American and 92% who completed at least some college) showed that despite knowledge of potential harmful effects of hair product usage, participants' hair was strongly tied to their identity and self-worth. 45 As a result, participants reported continued use of potentially harmful hair products, which allowed them to achieve styles associated with their self-identity and acceptance in society. Cultural, sociodemographic, and lifestyle factors should also be collected and analyzed in hair product usage behavior assessments among African-American women.…”