Talcum Powder Lawsuits: The Effects of Talcum Powder and Other Chemicals on Ovarian Cancer Risk
August 28, 2019 – Johnson & Johnson baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuits have been ongoing for the past few years. There are thousands of the lawsuits waiting to be heard, and some extremely large settlements in favor of plaintiffs. Almost a year ago a St. Louis jury awarded significant monies to 22 women who alleged J & J talcum powder products caused their ovarian cancer. Johnson & Johnson suffered five prior losses to individual plaintiffs, going back more than two years. Women who used J & J baby powder with talc or Shower to Shower with talc for feminine hygiene purposes, and later developed ovarian cancer could have a valid claim against Johnson & Johnson and could potentially benefit from speaking to a baby powder ovarian cancer attorney.
Will J & J Point Juries to Other Potential Causes of Ovarian Cancer? Of course, Johnson & Johnson is strongly defending their baby powder with talc, asserting it is safe, and pointing to other reasons women could potentially develop ovarian cancer, including the use of hair dyes, analgesics and tranquilizers. One study, done in 1993 reported on these very issues. The hospital study which took 189 women with confirmed common malignant epithelial ovarian tumors and 200 hospital visitor controls to compare the effects of hair dye, talc, analgesics, tranquilizers and hypnotic drugs did not have enough women to definitively confirm the results.
Only 13 people out of 376 had ever used perineum talc, therefore with no viable sample size, there were no conclusions drawn. The study did find an increase in ovarian cancer among women who regularly used hair dye, a lower risk of ovarian cancer among women who regularly used analgesics, and neither a lower nor higher risk for women who used tranquilizers. Despite J & J attempting to lay blame on the victims, in 1993 the National Toxicology Program reported that cosmetic talc could cause tumors in animals.
In 1992, researchers “definitely determined” that the frequent application of talcum powder to the female genital area increases the incidence of ovarian cancer. As far back as 1971, researchers discovered talc particles on three-quarters of the ovarian tumors examined. Despite this study—and others like it—J & J refused to respond to issues surrounding the safety of talc until 1982. Fibers from baby powder with talc can take many years to fully dissipate inside the body; since a full one in five women routinely use baby powder with talc for feminine hygiene purposes, many believe J & J should pull its powder products containing talc from the market.
Although J & J does offer an alternative powder which uses cornstarch instead of talc, their baby powder with talc is one of their top-selling items. Not only has J & J refused to pull their baby powder with talc, in the past they specifically marketed their baby powder for feminine hygiene use, despite potentially risks–New York Magazine reported that a 1988 ad for Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower with talc stated “just a sprinkle a day helps keep odor away,” and another told women that “Your body perspires in more places than just under your arms.”
How a Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawyer Can Help – If you have been diagnosed with baby powder ovarian cancer after years of using J & J’s baby powder with talc for feminine hygiene purposes, it could be very beneficial to speak to a baby powder ovarian cancer attorney. You could be entitled to file a baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit in order to receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. It is important to remember that there is a statute of limitations for product liability claims like a baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit. Because of this, you need an experienced baby powder ovarian cancer attorney by your side who will make sure your rights and your future are properly protected and will ensure your claim is preserved. A well-qualified baby powder ovarian cancer lawyer can answer your questions and help you through this difficult time.
