Ovarian Cancer Lawyer

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with ovarian cancer from using talcum powder or baby powder products, you may be entitled to financial compensation.  Call us today to get the facts.  Call Toll Free 1-866-777-2557 or fill out our online contact form and a lawyer will respond within 24 hours to answer your questions.

Talcum, or baby powder, recently made the news when a 49 year-old woman was suffering from advanced cancer of the ovaries and was puzzled as to why. After researching her condition online, she noticed one of the potential causes of ovarian cancer can be talcum powder, something she had used every day for 30 years of her life. She then became the first in a long line of women suffering from cancer to sue Johnson & Johnson over their talcum products, alleging that those products can cause cancer.

In a shocking move, Johnson & Johnson was found guilty and was ordered to pay $127 million in damage to families who had suffered the supposed effects of using talcum powder and developing cancer. But was this solid proof that baby powder does, in fact, cause cancer?

Talcum powder is often used as an absorbent to both sop up moisture and to reduce friction that is caused by excess moisture, which is why it is the main ingredient in baby powder. It is also commonly used in other kinds of cosmetic powders. Talc in its natural form contains asbestos, a known carcinogen. 

However, despite the fact that all talcum powder-based products used in the U.S. have been stripped off asbestos since the 1970s, concerns still exist that talcum powder may cause cancer. The key factor is that it has to be regularly used over a long period of time. 

Ovarian cancer is the main concern. The belief is that women may increase their chances of developing ovarian cancer by regularly using talcum powder directly on their genitals. The particles from the powder travel up into the woman's ovaries, where they may remain for years. Their presence, and the addition of more particles over time, may cause inflammation in the ovaries which can lead to the development of cancer cells. The American Cancer Society (ACS) says that, as of now, it is unclear as to whether talcum powder can lead to an increased risk of cancer.  

Lung cancer is another concern. Here, the fear is that those who work with natural talc over a long period of time, such as talc miners, are increasing their risk of developing lung cancer from years of breathing in asbestos. However, the ACS states that there is even less evidence that talcum powder is a direct cause of lung cancer.

For those who still want to remain on the safe side, the ACS recommends using cornstarch-based products as an alternative to baby powder. As of now, cornstarch is said to be safe, and perhaps the best proof of that is Johnson & Johnson's attempt to develop cornstarch-based products of their own in light of the recent verdict against them.