January 11, 2019 - Part One 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 two lawsuits against J & J were discussed (juries in both baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuits found in favor of the plaintiffs) in Part One.
In the third lawsuit against J & J, plaintiff Gloria Ristesund was awarded significant monetary damages. Ristesund was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2011, after using J & J baby powder with talc and Shower to Shower with talc for four decades. In October 2016, a third St. Louis jury found J & J liable for plaintiff Deborah Giannecchini’s ovarian cancer, awarding her another substantial judgement. Giannecchini was only 59 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
In March 2017, J & J suffered their fourth loss in the talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits. Plaintiff Nora Daniels, 56, testified she had used J & J baby powder with talc for 35 years, using the powder for feminine hygiene purposes. Following Daniels’ diagnosis, surgeons removed a grapefruit-sized tumor which was found to contain talc particles.
Studies Showing J & J Baby Powder with Talc Brings an Increased Risk of Ovarian Cancer - A study done in 1997 found that talc leads to an increased risk of ovarian cancer. The study included 313 white women, 79 with borderline epithelial ovarian cancer and 234 with invasive epithelial ovarian cancer. Four hundred twenty-two women were chosen from the surrounding area to use as a control group. The study found that women who engaged in perineal dusting of talc prior to 1976 had an increased risk of ovarian cancer, however there was no data after that time, as there were few cases presenting who used talc starting after 1976. The study found that women with the highest elevated risk associated with baby powder with talc, were those who used the powder in perineal dusting after bathing. A link between condoms kept in talc and ovarian cancer were inconclusive.
A 1997 study on Perineal Talc Exposure and the Risk of Ovarian Carcinoma also concluded that the use of baby powder with talc in the perineal area was linked to an increased risk in ovarian cancer. This study included 450 women with borderline and invasive ovarian carcinomas and 564 women for a control group. The study found that while cornstarch did not increase the risk of ovarian cancer, talc did when it was directly applied to the perineum or applied to sanitary napkins. Invasive carcinomas were significantly more likely to be influenced by talc exposure. A 1999 study did not have the same results; the study included 499 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, and 755 control patients. This particular study concluded that a family history of ovarian cancer, an annual income of less than $16,000, a higher education, and no children or fewer children increased the risk of ovarian cancer, however found no correlation between talc use and ovarian cancer.
How a Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Attorney Can Help - Women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using J & J baby powder with talc in the perineal area could benefit from speaking to a knowledgeable baby powder ovarian cancer lawyer. It is extremely important that your claim be properly preserved and that the statutes of limitations not be exceeded. An experienced baby powder ovarian cancer attorney can investigate and file your claim, ensuring claim preservation. Contact a well-qualified baby powder ovarian cancer lawyer today.