May 26, 2016 - Perhaps you have recently received a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Perhaps you also used talcum powder for feminine hygiene for many years. There are currently more than 1,200 talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson for ovarian cancer linked to the use of J & J’s baby powder with talc, and Shower to Shower with talc. Those women who feel their ovarian cancer is tied to the use of talcum powder could benefit from obtaining talcum powder ovarian cancer legal help. Johnson & Johnson denies the theory of talcum powder fiber migration. That is, that microscopic talc fibers can move up through the vagina and fallopian tube, into the ovary.
Yet a 1971 study looked at the ovaries removed from thirteen women with ovarian cancer. In ten of those ovaries, microscopic talc fibers were found embedded in the tissue. Other researchers believe that talc fibers can absolutely move through the reproductive system, causing inflammation in the fallopian tube and ovaries, creating the perfect storm for latent cancer which will turn into full-blown ovarian cancer later on. Other studies have also found a link between the use of talcum powder for feminine hygiene and ovarian cancer, yet despite a recent $72 million settlement to the family of a woman who died of ovarian cancer at age 62, Johnson & Johnson, the defendant in the case, continues to maintain the safety of talcum powder.
Diagnosing Ovarian Cancer
When ovarian cancer is suspected, a woman’s regular general practitioner or gynecologist will do a physical exam to look for signs of ovarian cancer. Those signs might include an enlarged ovary or signs of fluid in the abdomen. If the results of a pelvic exam and other tests suggest ovarian cancer, a gynecologic oncologist who is specially trained in treating cancers of the female reproductive system will be consulted. CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds will confirm a pelvic mass. A fine needle biopsy sample will be taken and examined under a microscope in order to determine the presence of cancerous cells.
A chest x-ray may be taken in order to determine whether the cancer has spread to the lungs, and a PET scan may be used as well as a tool to determine spread of the ovarian cancer. In some cases, a laparoscopy procedure may be performed which allows the physician to look at the ovaries as well as other pelvic organs. Finally, blood tests will be done in order to test levels of red and white blood cells as well as kidney and liver function. The gynecologic oncologist will oversee and/or perform all treatments associated with the ovarian cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
The Best Cancer Treatment Centers for Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer
While there are many cancer treatment centers across the United States, there are some which are consistently rated better for cancer patients than others. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX is considered the top treatment center for cancer with 372 doctors who specialize in different types of cancer on staff. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York is considered the second-best top treatment center, followed by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN, the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center in Boston, MA, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance/University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, WA, and Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. For women with ovarian cancer the Dana Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center in Boston is considered the best.
Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Legal Help
If you or a loved one has developed talcum powder ovarian cancer after years of using talcum powder for feminine hygiene, speaking to an experienced talcum powder ovarian cancer attorney could be very beneficial. An experienced talcum powder ovarian cancer attorney can help to ensure your rights are protected and can fight hard to obtain an equitable settlement on your behalf, including pursuing medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and possibly punitive damages as well.