Hair dye link to cancer

HAIR dye has been linked to a higher risk of breast cancer – and women should only use it six times a year at most, an expert has warned.

Professor Kefah Mokbel, who works at the Princess Grace Hospital in London, said his study suggests that dyeing hair increases the risk of developing the disease by 14 per cent. “Although further work is required ... our findings suggest that exposure to hair dyes may contribute to breast cancer risk.” He said “women are advised to reduce exposure to synthetic hair dyes to two to six times per year and undergo regular breast screening from the age of 40”. More than one in four cases of breast cancer could be prevented, according to Cancer Research UK.