The serious threat of ovarian cancer caused by talc-based baby powder has prompted ovarian cancer victims to pursue lawsuits.
Talcum powder has been found to cause ovarian cancer when used by women
for perineal hygiene.
Johnson & Johnson, a major manufacturer of talc-based baby powder
and body powder, has been accused of failing to warn consumers of the
risks of talcum powder. As many as 10,000 women develop ovarian cancer
each year as a result of baby powder use, says Harvard epidemiologist
Dr. Daniel Cramer. Ovarian cancer is a serious disease and is expected
to result in more than 14,000 deaths this year in the U.S.
The first talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit was brought–and won–against
J & J in federal court in 2013. A lawyer representing the cosmetic
giant admitted executives had known about the association between baby
powder and ovarian cancer for years.
The talcum powder ovarian cancer risk has been documented through numerous
studies dating back to 1982. When talc products such as baby powder are
applied to the genital region, talc particles can travel through the female
reproductive system to the ovaries. Talc particles may remain in the ovaries
for many years, causing inflammation and creating an environment conducive
to the growth of cancer cells. One expert estimates that roughly 10,000
women each year develop ovarian cancer as a result of using baby powder
or body powder.
Despite evidence presented by scientific studies linking perineal talcum
powder dusting to ovarian cancer, talc is an unregulated substance in
the U.S. However, many other organizations have issued talcum powder ovarian
cancer warnings to caution consumers about the risk of cancer associated
with baby powder. At times, even executives from the cosmetics industry
have admitted there is scientific evidence behind the baby powder cancer link.
Facts about talcum powder and its common uses
Talcum powder is derived from talc, a mineral comprised mostly of silicon,
magnesium, and oxygen.
When rendered in powder form, it works to absorb excess moisture, reduces
friction, and successfully keeps skin rashes at bay. Many cosmetic products
incorporate talcum powder in their formulations, including baby powders,
facial powders, and products used for feminine hygiene purposes. The last
of these uses has been of greatest concern to safety advocates, as research
has supported the proposition that a surprisingly large number of women
may have developed cases of ovarian cancer due to talcum powder use, when
talc made its way to the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus.
Research linking talcum powder and cancer
Despite the fact that talc has been a staple of cosmetic products for
hundreds, if not thousands of years, several research studies have found
strong connections between the use of talcum powders for feminine hygiene
purposes and the development of ovarian cancer.
Specifically, in 1971, a pivotal study of talcum powder risks found that75% of all ovarian tumors actually contained talc. A 2013 study in the Cancer Prevention research journal examined data for
roughly 2,000 women with a history of using talcum powder for genital
hygiene. The research revealed that women using talc in this way were
likely to face a20-30% increase in their risk of ovarian cancer compared to women who did not make similar use of such products.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after regularly
using talc-based baby or body powder, you may be entitled to compensation. Call
Hutton & Hutton for a free, confidential legal consultation with an experienced Wichita
personal injury attorney.