Month / April 2023

by Susan

A new day for victims of abuse in Maryland

The Child Victims Act of 2023 has been passed in Maryland, allowing survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file retroactive lawsuits, even if the existing statue of limitations on the claim has expired. The Child Victims Act of 2023 will also remove the statute of limitations for all future lawsuits based on childhood sexual abuse claims.

This Act was passed on the heels of the report released by the Maryland Attorney General, Anthony Brown alleging 156 Catholic clergy members and others abused at least 600 children over the course of more than six decades.

The report is hard for anyone to read. For victims of child sexual abuse, it opens up a floodgate of emotions. Some have locked this part of their life away deep inside. Inching along like a caterpillar, unable to metamorphose into a butterfly.

The caterpillar must become a pupa to transition. It is where the caterpillar makes big transitional changes inside of a cocoon. Growth happens rapidly in the cocoon and soon they will emerge as butterflies. But the cocoon is dark and lonely.

Those that choose to take a step into the cocoon to make the transition are not alone. The number of victims is estimated to exceed the 600 children. The Child Victims Act covers a broad scope of child sexual abuse. This includes those children abused in schools, at home, by babysitters, etc. While the numbers of children abused is staggering, there is strength in numbers.

Previously, victims had a finite time to bring a claim against their abuser(s). Many people have not had the chance to process their trauma or attempt the transition phase of their life before that time expired. The Child Victims Act of 2023 allows those victims in Maryland to transition and bring some closure on their time.

 

 

 

 

by Susan

Are hair relaxers related to uterine cancer?

A recent article reported that a Maryland woman developed uterine cancer after using hair relaxers for decades. She is joining a group of lawsuits who accuse the company selling the hair straightening/relaxing products of not warning consumers of the health risks.

A study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found evidence of association between the use of hair straightening products and uterine cancer. Hair straightening/relaxing products may contain hazardous chemicals with endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic properties.

What are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)?

Hair relaxers contain certain chemicals, such as phthalates an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), which helps the product to and penetrate hair and skin. EDCs are mixtures of chemicals that can interfere with hormonal action. EDCs are in found in many everyday products that can mimic, block or may interfere with hormones in the endocrine system.

How can you get uterine cancer from using hair relaxers/straighteners? 

Exposure to excess estrogen and a hormonal imbalance of estrogen and progesterone have been identified as key risk factors for uterine cancer. Synthetic estrogenic compounds, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), could contribute to uterine cancer risk because of their ability to alter hormonal actions.

According to Terekeci, et al., human exposure to EDCs mainly occurs by ingestion and to some extent by inhalation and dermal uptake. Exposure to contaminants in hair products

Who is most at risk for uterine cancers caused by hair relaxing/ straightening products?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a study finding that black women may be more affected due to higher use of hair relaxing/straightening products. In a large, prospective cohort study, approximately 60% of the participants who reported using straighteners in the previous year were self-identified black women.

Chronic exposure to EDCs in hair relaxers has been linked to more than just cancer. Other diseases, such as asthma, have also been associated with exposure to the EDCs found in hair relaxers.