Injury guide
Updated Oct 6, 202626 sources
Uterine cancer starts in the uterus, most often in its lining. Here is how it is found, which records show it, and what the hair relaxer lawsuits claim.
These are cited sources. Their inclusion does not imply that they endorse People’s Justice or reviewed this page.
National Institutes of Health · National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH · Publisher of the Sister Study findings on hair straighteners
Finding: Women who often used chemical hair straighteners were more likely to develop uterine cancer than women who did not use them; NIH said more research is needed to confirm the finding.
NIH news release: Hair straightening chemicals and uterine cancer risk (Oct. 17, 2022) (opens in a new tab) · Oct 17, 2022 · Checked Oct 5, 2026
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation · Federal judiciary · Panel that grouped the federal hair relaxer cases (MDL No. 3060); summary of the claims, not a ruling
“defendants' hair relaxer products contain phthalates, including di-2-ethylhexylphthalate, or other endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and that the use of such products caused or increased the risk of developing uterine, ovarian, or breast cancer”
JPML transfer order, Hair Relaxer MDL No. 3060 (Feb. 6, 2023) (opens in a new tab) · Feb 6, 2023 · Checked Oct 5, 2026
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH · 2022
Read the source: Sister Study: hair straightening products and uterine cancer (opens in a new tab) · Checked Oct 5, 2026
Not covered by this case
Uterine cancer is a disease in which cells in the uterus grow out of control. The most common kind starts in the lining of the uterus. It is called endometrial cancer. A rare kind, called uterine sarcoma, starts in the muscle.
Most uterine cancers are found in women going through or past menopause. Endometrial cancer can often be cured, in part because it is usually found early.
The exact cause of endometrial cancer is not known. Estrogen can affect its growth, and hormone therapy that has only estrogen raises the risk.
A key sign is bleeding from the vagina that is not normal for you. Any bleeding after your periods have stopped is not normal. Pain in the pelvis can also be a sign.
CDC says to see your doctor right away about bleeding that is not normal for you, especially after menopause.
If you used hair relaxers and have questions about your health, ask your own doctor. Bring a list of your questions to the visit.
A doctor takes a small piece of tissue from the lining of the uterus. This is called an endometrial biopsy. A pathologist then looks at the cells under a microscope for cancer.
An ultrasound can show if the lining looks thick or not normal, but it does not prove cancer. A Pap test may raise concern but does not diagnose endometrial cancer.
Other tests remove tissue from the lining in a short procedure, or use a thin scope to look inside the uterus. Tissue taken during these tests is checked under a microscope for cancer.
The pathology report from the biopsy or surgery gives the diagnosis. Also ask for the report from any pelvic ultrasound. Your doctor’s notes may show when the bleeding started and when you were told.
A pathology report is written by a doctor trained to find disease in tissue. The National Cancer Institute says it gives the final cancer diagnosis. It usually reaches your doctor within 10 days of the biopsy or surgery.
You can ask for copies of these records, including test results. A provider cannot refuse because you owe a medical bill.
A 2022 NIH study found a link between chemical hair straighteners, such as relaxers, and uterine cancer. Women who used them often were more likely to get it. A link is not proof of cause. The National Cancer Institute says there is not yet enough proof of a link.
The study followed 33,497 U.S. women ages 35 to 74. It estimated that 1.64% of women who never used these products would get uterine cancer by age 70, compared with 4.05% of frequent users. Frequent use meant more than four times in the past year. The study did not collect brands or ingredients.
The lawsuits claim that chemicals in hair relaxers caused uterine cancer or raised its risk. In 2026, both sides asked the court to bar some expert opinions on whether hair relaxers can cause these cancers. In the federal court records we read, we found no ruling on those requests, and no ruling that hair relaxers cause uterine cancer.
NIH said more research is needed to confirm the findings. The National Cancer Institute’s 2025 risk page says there is not enough evidence to show a link between hair products and endometrial cancer.
The federal cases were brought by people who say hair relaxers caused cancer or other harm to their reproductive organs. Some say it caused cancer of the uterus, ovary or breast. This page cannot tell you if you could bring a claim. Your own records and facts decide that.
The hair relaxer case page explains what is happening in those cases now.
One federal health program names it. A VA list also has a group of cancers that covers it. The World Trade Center Health Program lists cancer of the uterus. VA’s PACT Act list includes “reproductive cancer of any type” for some veterans.
These programs have their own rules, and they are separate from any lawsuit. Being on a list does not by itself mean a person qualifies. The WTC program must certify that the cancer is related to the person’s 9/11 exposure.
VA’s PACT Act list applies to veterans who served in certain places on or after August 2, 1990, or September 11, 2001. A lawyer or claims agent who helps with a VA claim must be accredited by VA. Help from an accredited veterans group is always free, and accredited lawyers and agents may charge only for help given after VA’s first decision on the claim.
VA’s website has a search tool to find an accredited representative.
Yes, if they have legal authority. An adult can name someone in a health care power of attorney, and that person can get the records tied to that role. A spouse or grown child does not always have this power on their own.
If the person died, the executor or administrator of the estate can get the records needed for that job. Providers may also share limited facts with a relative who helped with care or bills. State law decides who has authority.
If someone died, the wrongful death case page explains in general how those claims work.
Checked against 26 primary sources by People's Justice editors · Updated
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