NORTH CAROLINA -- Before you make your next hair appointment you may want to consider a recent study.

Data from the Sister Study—conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences— linked an increased risk of breast cancer to women who use hair dye or straighteners.

Medical professionals say the study doesn't specifically say women who use hair dyes will get the disease, just that there's an association between the two. Separate from the study, there are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk of cancer.

“Avoid alcohol,”  Medical Oncologist with Cone Health Gustav Magrinat said. “Keep to a good diet, exercise 45 minutes and five times a week. Anyone of these things is going to reduce your risk of cancer.”

The study showed a less than one percent increase in the risk in women ages 35-74.