\u3cem\u3eMy Crown and Glory\u3c/em\u3e: Community, Identity, Culture, and Black Women’s Concerns of Hair Product-Related Breast Cancer Risk

Breast cancer (BC) incidence rates for Black and non-Hispanic White women have recently converged; however, Black women continue to die at higher rates from the disease. Black women also use hair products containing hormonally active chemicals at higher rates than other races and ethnic groups. Studies now link chemical components in hair and personal care products to breast cancer risk. Using a community-based participatory research approach, this qualitative study explored community concerns about the role of hair products on breast cancer risk. Focus groups and key informant interviews using triangulation to assure relevant perspectives (women with and without breast cancer as well as younger and older women of differing SES, stylists) explored women’s perceived risk and knowledge of breast cancer risk factors. Data analysis used grounded theory methods of coding facilitated by QDA-Miner. Findings from 91 participants indicated varying levels of awareness but near universal concerns about the potential link of hair products to BC. Breast cancer is a significant concern for Black women and their loved ones. While women were concerned and some respondents believed ingredients in hair products may be harmful to their health, they wrestled with the idea of making changes as hair for most is aligned with beauty, individuality, and identity. For many altering their product use patterns to potentially less risky choices pits health against identity. Health education interventions to minimize harmful hair product usage must acknowledge and incorporate cultural normative beliefs of hair for Black women

\u3cem\u3eHeavy is the Head that Wears the Crown\u3c/em\u3e: Black Men’s Perspective on Harmful Effects of Hair Product Use and Breast Cancer Risk

Racial disparities in breast cancer are well-documented, and Black women assume a disproportionate burden of breast cancer mortality. Black women also commonly use hair products containing endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) more often at an increased rate, as compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Emerging findings have reported the use of hair and other personal care products containing EDCs may contribute to breast cancer risk. While some sociocultural perspectives about hair and identity have been explored, the role of beauty expectations upheld by males has not been studied. Through a community-based participatory methodology, we explored perceptions and beliefs held by Black men regarding Black women’s hair, chemical exposures in hair products, and breast cancer risk. Focus groups and key informant interviews—among men with and without partners with a history of breast cancer—were used to examine the male perspective regarding the attractiveness of Black hairstyles, opinions of beauty norms, and knowledge of breast cancer risk factors. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed guided by grounded theory methods. From the 66 participants interviewed, there was general support for natural hairstyles, which were associated with confidence and self-esteem in women. Men agreed that beauty standards and societal pressures play notable roles in the women’s personal behaviors though they mostly lacked knowledge of women’s breast cancer risk related to EDCs found in personal care products. Participants suggested a multipronged strategy centered on community education involving social and traditional media campaigns, and the engagement of policy makers in intervention efforts

The Black Identity, Hair Product Use, and Breast Cancer Scale

Introduction Across the African Diaspora, hair is synonymous with identity. As such, Black women use a variety of hair products, which often contain more endocrine-disrupting chemicals than products used by women of other races. An emerging body of research is linking chemicals in hair products to breast cancer, but there is no validated instrument that measures constructs related to hair, identity, and breast health. The objective of this study was to develop and validate the Black Identity, Hair Product Use, and Breast Cancer Scale (BHBS) in a diverse sample of Black women to measure the social and cultural constructs associated with Black women’s hair product use and perceived breast cancer risk. Methods Participants completed a 27-item scale that queried perceptions of identity, hair products, and breast cancer risk. Principal Component Analyses (PCA) were conducted to establish the underlying component structures, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to determine model fit. Results Participants (n = 185) were African American (73%), African, and Caribbean Black women (27%) aged 29 to 64. PCA yielded two components that accounted for 61% of total variance. Five items measuring sociocultural perspectives about hair and identity loaded on subscale 1 and accounted for 32% of total variance (α = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.77–0.86). Six items assessing perceived breast cancer risk related to hair product use loaded on subscale 2 and accounted for 29% of total variance (α = 0.82 (95% CI = 0.74–0.86). CFA confirmed the two-component structure (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.03; Comparative Fit Index = 0.91; Tucker Lewis Index = 0.88). Conclusions The BHBS is a valid measure of social and cultural constructs associated with Black women’s hair product use and perceived breast cancer risk. This scale is useful for studies that assess cultural norms in the context of breast cancer risk for Black women

The Other End of the Kaleidoscope: Configuring Circles of Teaching and Learning

To reflect on and participate in reconsideration of convention in academic discourse, this essay presents three voices in three genres

Cost of Beauty Project: Hair and Health Research

Pilot Community-based participatory research study to investigate the potential role of hair products for breast cancer etiology in African American/Black women living in the San Bernardino and Riverside Counties of Southern California

A review of hair product use on breast cancer risk in African American women

The incidence rate of breast cancer for African American women has recentlyconverged with that of non-HispanicWhite women in the United States, although African Americans have a higher mortality rate due to this disease.Although most research exploring health disparities associated with this phenomenon has focused on differences between women based on biology andbehavior, both the academic and lay communities have begun to explore thepotential role of environmental exposure to estrogen and endocrine disruptingchemicals (EDCs). This study reviews the current state of the science associatingone such means of exposure, hair products containing EDCs, with breast cancer risk in African American women. We found a growing body of evidence linking:(1) environmental estrogen and EDC exposures to breast cancer risk, (2)the presence of such chemicals in personal care products, including hair products,and (3) the use of certain hair products with potential breast cancer risk inAfrican Americans. At the same time, there is also increasing concern in thelay community about this risk. These results indicate the need for additionalresearch, and the opportunity to benefit from strategic partnerships in community-collaborative approaches in order to better understand the potential “cost ofbeauty.

A review of hair product use on breast cancer risk in African American women

The incidence rate of breast cancer for African American women has recentlyconverged with that of non-HispanicWhite women in the United States, although African Americans have a higher mortality rate due to this disease.Although most research exploring health disparities associated with this phenomenon has focused on differences between women based on biology andbehavior, both the academic and lay communities have begun to explore thepotential role of environmental exposure to estrogen and endocrine disruptingchemicals (EDCs). This study reviews the current state of the science associatingone such means of exposure, hair products containing EDCs, with breast cancer risk in African American women. We found a growing body of evidence linking:(1) environmental estrogen and EDC exposures to breast cancer risk, (2)the presence of such chemicals in personal care products, including hair products,and (3) the use of certain hair products with potential breast cancer risk inAfrican Americans. At the same time, there is also increasing concern in thelay community about this risk. These results indicate the need for additionalresearch, and the opportunity to benefit from strategic partnerships in community-collaborative approaches in order to better understand the potential “cost ofbeauty.