Hair dye linked to 60% higher breast cancer risk - should you worry?
A study published in the International Journal of Cancer suggests a potential link between permanent hair dye and breast cancer risk, particularly among Black women. However, experts caution that the findings show an association rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
Why it matters
Understanding the validity of health studies is crucial for public safety and preventing unnecessary alarm regarding common consumer products.
Jakarta, IO – The Sister Study, involving 46,709 women and published in the International Journal of Cancer, reported that hair dye users may face up to a 60% higher risk of breast cancer. However, according to IPB University Faculty of Food and Nutrition (FKGiz) lecturer dr. Samuel Stemi, MBiomed, AIFO-K, Dipl AAAM, the findings need to be interpreted carefully, even though they come from scientific research.
“This figure needs to be understood carefully. It refers to an increase in relative risk, not that 60% of hair dye users will develop breast cancer. The study was also observational, meaning it shows an association rather than proving a causeand-effect relationship,” he said, as quoted by IPB.ac.id on Monday (7/9/2026).
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