July 13, 2019 - The J & J talcum powder ovarian cancer link debacle is one of the most recent instances of breach of trust from the company whose baby powder has been a trusted household product for generations. While technically neither a dangerous drug nor a dangerous medical device, the J & J talcum powder lawsuits have been one of the most talked-about issues over the past few years. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against J & J by women who developed ovarian cancer after using the company’s baby powder with talc in the perineal area, for feminine hygiene purposes. In fact, some might say Johnson & Johnson specifically marketed talcum powder for that very purpose.
Many researchers have theorized that talc fibers can migrate up through the vagina, the uterus and the fallopian tubes, landing in the ovaries, where they cause inflammation—a well-known factor in many types of cancers. Others have discounted the idea that talc fibers could travel to the ovaries. Dr. Daniel Cramer believed the most convincing evidence regarding this issue is a study done in humans that demonstrated carbon black ink placed in the vagina prior to a hysterectomy could be demonstrated “microscopically in washings from the (fallopian) tube or even seen with the naked eye in some cases.”
Further, one cell culture experiment clearly showed that talc was capable of causing “proliferative changes in ovarian cell cultures indicative of malignancy…” J & J has been on the losing end of several lawsuits yet has either appealed or plans to appeal those decisions. There have been questions from J & J regarding other issues which could have potentially caused women’s ovarian cancer—other than baby powder with talc.
Are Fertility Drugs a Risk for Ovarian Cancer? A study with 200 women who had either primary invasive or borderline epithelial ovarian cancer, (done in 1996), found that women who had never given birth to a child were at a greater risk of ovarian cancer, than those with a family history of ovarian cancer. The study also found that the use of fertility drugs increased the incidence of ovarian cancer and that the use of talc also increased the risk of ovarian cancer. Coffee consumption, smoking, taking vitamins, using oral contraceptives and using corticosteroids all appeared to have no effect on the risk of ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, the study had such a small number of participants, that the results are not definitive. This particular study did not focus on talc, other than in a passing manner.
How Sullo & Sullo Can Help with Your Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit - If you have been diagnosed with talcum powder ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder with talc, you will want to ensure your potential baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit is properly preserved. A Sullo & Sullo baby powder ovarian cancer attorney can carefully examine the facts of your diagnosis, answer your questions, and help you determine the best course of action. Speak to a well-qualified Sullo & Sullo baby powder ovarian cancer attorney today.