May 04, 2016 - In the United States, the ninth most common cancer among women is ovarian cancer, ranking number five as the cause of deaths from cancer. The risk of a woman being diagnosed with invasive ovarian serous cancer over the course of her life is about 1 in 71, while the lifetime risks of dying from this type of cancer is approximately 1 in 95. There are factors associated with an increased risk of ovarian serous cancer, including certain fertility drugs, obesity, and the long-term use of talcum powder for feminine hygiene. Whether a woman has had children and the duration of her reproductive career are also factors in ovarian cancer.
Approximately 80-85 percent of all ovarian cancers in Western countries are serous. Serous ovarian cancers may have their beginnings in the fallopian tube, particularly in cases where the ovarian cancer is primarily hereditary in nature. Many doctors believe that most serous ovarian cancers may actually begin in one end of the fallopian tube cells, rather than on the ovary’s surface.
Talcum Powder’s Relationship to Ovarian Cancer
Many women across the United States routinely use baby powder with talc for feminine hygiene, yet there is a considerable body of scientific research which links talcum powder to ovarian cancer. One of those links dates back to 1971, when a study of the ovaries removed from ovarian cancer patients revealed talc particles buried deeply in the tissues. Despite this, Johnson & Johnson, and the companies it purchased talcum powder from, kept their baby powder and Shower to Shower—both which contained talcum powder—on the shelves, with no warnings of the potential risks.
Additional studies have found that talcum powder, when used in the genital region, resulted in talc particles traveling through the fallopian tubes to the ovaries, where they remained trapped for years. Those talc particles create inflammation in the ovaries, potentially leading to the growth of ovarian cancer cells.
One review of data in the Cancer Prevention Research indicated that women who used talcum powder in the genital region could potentially increase their risk of ovarian cancer by as much as 41 percent. In 2010, a Harvard study determined the talc in baby powder had some carcinogenic qualities, yet the FDA declined to require warnings on talcum powder, calling the research inconclusive. The American legal system may not be in agreement with the FDA or Johnson & Johnson.
Two Juries Found in Favor of Plaintiffs in J & J Lawsuits
The first lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson for talcum powder ovarian serous cancer was in 2013. The jury found in favor of the plaintiff, agreeing that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn consumers of a potential link between the use of talcum powder for feminine hygiene and an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Just recently, the family of a second woman were awarded $72 million in a wrongful death case against Johnson & Johnson. The company is facing more than 1,200 additional cases from women who used Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder with talc or Shower to Shower for an extended period of time, and subsequently developed ovarian cancer.
Getting Help from an Experienced Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Attorney
If you or a loved one developed talcum powder ovarian serous cancer after using Johnson & Johnson talcum powders, it could be extremely beneficial to contact an experienced talcum powder ovarian cancer attorney who will ensure your rights are protected and that the time limits are not exceeded.