My crown and glory: 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. Stud...

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Main Authors: Dede K. Teteh, Susanne B. Montgomery, Sabine Monice, Laura Stiel, Phyllis Y. Clark, Eudora Mitchell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2017-01-01
Series:Cogent Arts & Humanities
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2017.1345297
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author Dede K. Teteh
Susanne B. Montgomery
Sabine Monice
Laura Stiel
Phyllis Y. Clark
Eudora Mitchell
author_facet Dede K. Teteh
Susanne B. Montgomery
Sabine Monice
Laura Stiel
Phyllis Y. Clark
Eudora Mitchell
author_sort Dede K. Teteh
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj.art-a544518c7bcd4d39a766e38e27eec10f2022-12-21T23:02:06ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Arts & Humanities2331-19832017-01-014110.1080/23311983.2017.13452971345297My crown and glory: Community, identity, culture, and Black women’s concerns of hair product-related breast cancer riskDede K. Teteh0Susanne B. Montgomery1Sabine Monice2Laura Stiel3Phyllis Y. Clark4Eudora Mitchell5Healthy Heritage MovementLoma Linda UniversityLoma Linda UniversityLoma Linda UniversityHealthy Heritage MovementQuinn Community Outreach CorporationBreast 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.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2017.1345297black womenbreast cancer riskhair producthealthhair and healthcommunity concernsculture
spellingShingle Dede K. Teteh
Susanne B. Montgomery
Sabine Monice
Laura Stiel
Phyllis Y. Clark
Eudora Mitchell
My crown and glory: Community, identity, culture, and Black women’s concerns of hair product-related breast cancer risk
Cogent Arts & Humanities
black women
breast cancer risk
hair product
health
hair and health
community concerns
culture
title My crown and glory: Community, identity, culture, and Black women’s concerns of hair product-related breast cancer risk
title_full My crown and glory: Community, identity, culture, and Black women’s concerns of hair product-related breast cancer risk
title_fullStr My crown and glory: Community, identity, culture, and Black women’s concerns of hair product-related breast cancer risk
title_full_unstemmed My crown and glory: Community, identity, culture, and Black women’s concerns of hair product-related breast cancer risk
title_short My crown and glory: Community, identity, culture, and Black women’s concerns of hair product-related breast cancer risk
title_sort my crown and glory community identity culture and black women s concerns of hair product related breast cancer risk
topic black women
breast cancer risk
hair product
health
hair and health
community concerns
culture
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2017.1345297
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