Talc Causing Ovarian Cancer
Key Screening criteria:
- Under 65 at diagnosis
- More than 5 continuous years of daily use.
- Negative for BRCA chromosome defect
- Must be fallopian or ovarian cancer
The lawsuit involving talcum powder states the manufacturers failed to warn users of the increased risk of ovarian cancer caused by using talc-based products for personal hygiene use. Plaintiffs attorneys claim the manufacturers have known for more than 40 years there is a link between talc and ovarian cancer. However, these companies intentionally made the decision not to warn women that the powder could cause cancer if it entered the ovaries through the vagina after being applied to the genital area or on sanitary napkins, diaphragms, or condoms.
The main talc products used for personal hygiene are: Johnson’s Baby Powder by Johnson & Johnson; Shower to Shower by Valeant Pharmaceuticals; and Baby Magic Baby Powder
The most serious potential side effect from the use of talcum powder by women is ovarian cancer, caused by the powder entering the ovaries through the vagina. According to the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, frequent talcum powder use on the female genital area increases the risk of ovarian cancer between 30–60%. The more often a woman uses it on her genital area, the more likely she will experience ovarian cancer.
Dr. Daniel Cramer, with Harvard Medical School, estimates thousands of women get ovarian cancer from talcum powder use each year.