April 21, 2021 - What is Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer? Women who have used Johnson & Johnson baby powder with talc or other talcum powders for a number of years for feminine hygiene purposes may have been diagnosed with baby powder ovarian cancer. Studies have found that the tiny talc fibers can travel up a woman’s reproductive tract, embedding into the ovaries and causing inflammation. Over a period of years, inflammation can cause cancer. J & J currently has more than 20,000 lawsuits pending against them and has lost several baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuits over the past few years (although they have appealed most of those decisions).
What are Tumors with Genetic Mutations? All cancer is the result of gene mutations, which could be caused by the environment, exposure to chemicals, exposure to radiation, aging, hormones, or other factors in the body. Over time, multiple mutations can occur in a single cell, then it will divide and grow in a way that becomes a cancer. This can take years. More and more cancers have been found to be hereditary, meaning they are associated with specific gene mutations that are inherited within members of the same family. When a person is born with such a mutation, every cell in his or her body, including the eggs and sperm, which means it can be passed to the next generation. Those who inherit these genetic mutations have a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer.
What is BRCA? Every human being has BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes—which do not cause breast cancer, and even play a role in preventing breast cancer. These two genes are known as tumor suppressors, however among some people these tumor suppressors do not work as they should. When they become altered, or broken, it results in BRCA mutations. About one in every 400 human beings carry a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene; these people are more likely to develop breast cancer and to do so at a much younger age. In general, about one in eight (12 percent) women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her life, but those with a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene have a 45 percent chance of developing breast cancer.
Why is BRCA Negative or Positive Relevant to Ovarian Cancer? BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations can also lead to a predisposition for ovarian cancer. About 10 percent of all invasive ovarian cancers have a hereditary basis, many of those caused by BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Women who inherit a mutated copy of those genes are ten percent more likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer by the age of 70. The risk of a woman developing BRCA-associated ovarian cancer can be modified, to some extent, by reproductive history and hormonal exposure.
What Effect Do Genetic Mutations and BRCA Have on Ovarian Cancer Treatments? Women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer—and who have tested positive for a BRCA mutation—could find that their treatment options may be very different from a woman without the BRCA gene mutation. Women with a BRCA gene mutation who have ovarian cancer may be resistant to chemotherapy and other “standard” cancer treatments—in other words, those treatments could be much less effective. In a significant number of women with the BRCA gene mutation who successfully undergo treatment for ovarian cancer could see their cancer return. Your doctor may choose a more targeted therapy treatment for your ovarian cancer if you have the BRCA gene mutation—a therapy that specifically targets those BRCA-mutated cells. You may wonder why the BRCA gene mutation matters when your ovarian cancer tumor is being removed. It matters because your treatment may be less successful, and your cancer could return quicker than in someone without the gene mutation.
Getting the Information You Need About a Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit If you have been diagnosed with baby powder ovarian cancer, it could be very beneficial for you to speak to a talcum powder ovarian cancer lawyer. A well qualified baby powder ovarian cancer lawyer can help you determine whether a baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit is right for you, while answering your questions and protecting your rights.