Talcum Powder Lawsuits: Migrating Talc Fibers and Chronic Inflammation of the Ovaries
April 10, 2020 – Part One and Part Two of The Link Between Perineal Talc Exposure and Ovarian Cancer discussed the thousands of lawsuits currently filed against Johnson & Johnson by women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using J & J baby powder with talc for feminine hygiene purposes. The first five lawsuits against J & J were also discussed (juries in both baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuits found in favor of the plaintiffs in each case) in Part One and Part Two.
In May 2017, a St. Louis jury awarded Lois Slemp, 62, a substantial verdict for her ovarian cancer. Slemp claimed she had used J & J baby powder with talc and Shower to Shower for nearly 40 years. In August 2017, a Los Angeles jury awarded a large sum to Eve Echeverria, after finding Johnson & Johnson responsible for Echeverria’s ovarian cancer. This was the first of hundreds of similar cases filed in the state of California, to go to trial.
In July 2018, a St. Louis jury awarded tremendous actual damages and a staggering punitive damage to 22 women who alleged J & J baby powder with talc caused their ovarian cancer. J & J filed a motion in December to reverse this particular verdict (one of the largest personal injury awards on record), however the judge upheld the original verdict. In this particular case, asbestos exposure was also an issue, as the 22 women claimed their ovarian cancer was linked to talc contamination by asbestos.
Studies on Ovarian Cancer and Baby Powder with Talc – A 1992 study, titled Mineral Fiber Exposure and the Development of Ovarian Cancer, stated that talc fibers had been found inside cancerous ovaries. This particular study found that tubal ligations could actually protect the ovaries from talc exposure and ovarian cancer because of the blockage to the ovaries. Women who were exposed to talc fibers for approximately 37.4 years showed an increase in ovarian cancer. No significant increase to the risk of ovarian cancer was found for the use of condoms or diaphragms when powder was used, however baby powder with talc on sanitary napkins did increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
A 1989 study, titled A Case-Control Study of Borderline Ovarian Tumors: The Influence of Perineal Exposure to Talc, mentioned that talc has been found in ovarian tumors, also stating the belief that talc contains asbestos. It was theorized that deodorizing powders could have “different” asbestos contamination than cosmetic talc powders. This study had mixed findings; using talc powder after bathing was found to increase the risk of ovarian cancer, while general perineal application of baby powder with talc did not. Women who used deodorizing powders in conjunction with talc-containing products had a “much higher” risk of ovarian cancer.
Well-Qualified Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawyers Ready to Help – If you developed ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder with talc or J & J’s Shower to Shower with talc, you could be entitled to file a baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit. Talcum powder ovarian cancer is a serious, even life-threatening disease and the well-qualified baby powder ovarian cancer attorneys want to help those with the diagnosis. An experienced baby powder cancer lawyer can help to ensure your claim is properly preserved and can investigate your claim, filing your baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit in a timely manner.
