L’Oréal Being Sued By A Black Woman For Being Linked To Causing Uterine Cancer

We’re learning that hair care products used everyday in the Black community include harmful ingredients that, over time, may cause tumors and cancers especially in Black women. A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicated that the chemical present in hair straightening products has a link to uterine cancer. 

It has not gone unnoticed that Black women suffer greatly from uterine fibrosis in greater numbers than their counterparts. We all know friends and family members that have had surgeries to have fibroids removed. It’s incredibly painful and uncomfortable. According to a report recently from The New York Times, cancer of the uterus is increasing rapidly and may become the third most common cancer among women by 2040 and the fourth-leading cause of death among women—-particularly Black women. 

Jenny Mitchell, 32, Missouri-native claims that her regular and prolonged exposure to ingredients in the straightening chemicals specifically found in used hair care products was the direct cause of her diagnosis of uterine cancer.

In a press release released by Fox 32 Chicago, Jenny Mitchell voiced how this Chicago based beauty company, L’oreal, affected her inability to have children. “I am 32 years old right now, and I’m still feeling that void, not being able to bear my own child.” Mitchell shared. 

Since Mitchell’s lawsuit, other women have come forward to seek justice against this brand, according to one of the attorneys from the Ben Crump Law, the lawsuit that is handling Mitchell’s case who was with her during the press release. 

“We’re here on behalf of Jenny Mitchell and so many women who are coming forward to seek justice against corporations that put profit over people.” the attorney said. Given that Black women are born with naturally curly hair, a study also mentioned that Black women tend to utilize these chemical hair-straightening products more frequently than White women. This matter needs to be treated more seriously, according to another lawyer from the Ben Crump law firm.

“This is a national health crisis. So we have to treat it as such.” Attorney Crump

Also during the press release, Mitchell shared that she has started using relaxers since eight years old after 20 years later, when she went to the fertility doctor to have a baby with her partner and received a devastating news, 

“That day he (the doctor) had to do a biopsy because he saw something in my uterine lining. Three days later I got a call. I’m 28 years old and I was just diagnosed with uterine cancer.”  Mitchell shared. 

Therefore, the founder of Ben Crump Law himself begs everyone to immediately stop using these hair products, especially the parents of young black girls.

“if you’re out there and you have little black girls. Stop today. Stop using these chemical relaxers. We will likely discover that Ms. Mitchell’s tragic case is one of countless cases in which companies aggressively misled black women to increase their profits.”   Attorney Crump